Adams County, Ritzvile, 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, October 9, 1924 issue Mrs. Rosella Lovell Mrs. Rosella Lovell, mother of G. E. Lovell, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 4th, at the Espanola Apartments, Spokane. Her death followed that of her daughter, Mrs. Claire L. Miller, by just four days. Mrs. Lovell was 87 years old and for the past few years was in very poor health. She lived here with her daughter and was given every care by her. Now both are taken in the same week. Mr. Lovell left with the bodies of his sister and mother for Garner, Iowa, where the funeral services were to take place. Mrs. Lovell leaves besides her son, G. E., another son, V. R., of Fargo, North Dakota. Attends Mother's Funeral Jack Barker arrived Sunday morning from Portland where he was called by the illness and death of his mother. Her name was Mrs. Belle Barker and she passed away September 30th in Portland at the age of 78 years. The funeral was held at Salem. She is mourned by three children, E. D. of Portland, J. P. of Ritzville, and Mrs. Frankie Yorkshire of Portland. Mrs. Barker has been failing health for some time. The Journal-Times Thursday, October 16, 1924 issue Henry Franz Michel Rev. Henry Franz Michel, age 70, a resident of Washington for 43 years, and pioneer of the covered wagon train days, died at 12:18 a.m. last Saturday morning October 11, at his home at Tacoma. He was a German Methodist minister and was born in Russia in the old Messer colony, where he was united in marriage to Katherine Maria Oestreich, to whom four children were born. Henry of Humboldt, South Dakota, and Lydia Hansen of Tacoma, survive. His first wife passed away at Walla Walla in 1900 after which Rev. Michel remarried to Miss Johanna Oepke of Walla Walla, who also survives him. Rev. Michel came to America in 1876 and first settled in Kansas and Lincoln, Nebraska. In 1882 he and quite a number of pioneer Ritzville residents took their families overland to the far west, all settling near Walla Walla. Later some moved to Ritzville and started raising wheat. Rev. Michel and several families moved to Bickleton, but later they all joined at Ritzville, where Rev. Michel bought and farmed the land now owned by J. F. Koch. He also acted as German Methodist minister near Ritzville. He removed to Tacoma in 1901 and has made his home there since. Besides those mentioned Mr. Michel is survived by one sister, Mrs. Peter Betz of Great Bend, Kansas. Burial took place at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, October 14th, at the Tacoma cemetery, Tacoma, Wash. The Journal-Times Thursday, October 23, 1924 issue Bertha J. Watson Mrs. Bertha J. Watson was born in Peola, Washington, April 4, 1884, and died in Kahlotus, Washington, October 19, 1924, aged 40 years, 6 months and 15 days. January 15, 1912, she was united in marraige to Samuel Watson in Pasco, Wash. To this union were born three children, William, Lucille and Helen. She was a member of the Christian church. Besides her husband and children she is survived by her father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. A. D. Cook, three brothers, Charles, Clyde and Robert, and two sisters, Faye and Etoile. Mrs. Watson was a charter member of the Emerald Rebekah lodge of Washtucna and also of the Rebekah lodge of Kahlotus. Elizabeth Gordon WASHTUCNA - Word has been received here by friends of death in Seattle last week, of Miss Elizabeth Gordon, daughter of Mrs. Alice Gordon of LaCrosse. Death is said to have been caused by heart disorder. The body was brought to LaCrosse for burial. Mrs. Gordon, who was in LaCrosse for a brief business visit at the time, is reported to have been seriously injured in an automobile accident while hurrying to her daughter's bedside. She sustained a broken shoulder and other injuries and was unable to attend the funeral services for her daughter which were held in LaCrosse on Tuesday, October 14th. The Gordons were well known in Washtucna and the bereaved mother has the sympathy of her many friends in the Washtucna community. The Journal-Times Thursday, November 13, 1924 issue Mrs. Reeder Dies At Portland Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Reeder received a telegram today announcing the death in Portland yesterday of Mrs. Lee Reeder. Mr. and Mrs. Reeder lived for two or three years on the W. C. Reeder place near Lind. Joseph Gering Joseph Gering, long a prominent resident of the Schrag country, passed away at his ranch home Saturday morning, Nov. 8. Mr. Gering was born at Thetomorska, Gouv. Dubrokki, Russia, March 4, 1857, and was thus aged 67 years, 8 months, 4 days at the time of his death. He was the son of Jos. and Anna Gering. In the year 1872 he was baptized in the Mennonite fairth and united with the church. The family emigrated to America in 1874, located at Yankton, S.D. In 1890 Mr. Gering came to Dallas, Oregon, where he lived ten years. In 1900 he came to Adams county which remained his home until his death. On October 23, 1880, he was united in marriage to Miss Frances Ries. To this union were born 13 children of whom five are dead. Those who with the widow survive are: Paul, Martin, and Lena of Monroe, Wash., Henry, Anna, Martha, Nellie and Joseph of this county; also 22 grandchildren. He is also survived by four sisters: Mrs. Mary Graber, Odessa; Mrs. Kathrina Schrag, Schrag; Mrs. Fanny Gering, Freeman, S.D.; Mrs. Emilia Stucky, Pretty Prairie, Kan. Mr. Gering was sick for two years with cancer and suffered intense pain part of the time. He was ready for the end and prepared for tansition to the life eternal. Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. at the Mennonite church, conducted by the Rev. D. D. King. A large company of relatives and friends were in attendance. Burial took place in the Mennonite cemetery. Death Claims Former Washtunca Girl WASHTUCNA - The funeral of Mrs. Theo. Thorvund, age 23, who died at Libby, Montana, was conducted at Walla Walla Saturday, November 8th, at 10:30. The funeral was largely attended by relatives and friends, including Mr. and Mrs. R. C. Behnke of Colfax and Messrs. O. R. and E. A. Behnke of Washtucna. Mrs. Thorvund, who was reared near here, is a niece of the Behnke's. Besides her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Amel Behnke and a sister, Mrs. Rob. Russell of Libby, the deceased is survived by her husband and two small children, one of whom lived with Mr. and Mrs. R. C. Behnke of Colfax most of her life. The deceased also leaves many other relatives and friends to mourn her loss. The Journal-Times Thursday, November 20, 1924 issue Baby Burned To Death In Fire At Cunningham Sunday about noon the residence of Louis Longmeier, living about eight miles northwest of Hatton, was discovered on fire by Mr. and Mrs. Longmeier, who happened to be out in the yard. Their 14 months old baby had been left asleep in the house and a frantic effort was made by both parents to save the child. Mr. Longmeier succeeded in entering the room where the baby was asleep but was overcome by the smoke and fainted. Mrs. Longmeier succeeded in rescuing her husband by pulling him out a window but they were unable to reach the child which perished in the flames. Both parents were burned about the face and hands, and all the contents of the house were destroyed. The body of the child was taken to Lind where funeral services were held at the cemetery. Mrs. George Oesteich Yesterday afternoon at two o'clock Mrs. George Oestreich passed away at the home of her mother, Mrs. E. L. Allen. For nearly four years she had been an invalid, suffering from multiple sclerosis of the spine. She bore her long illness with patience and forbearance. The funeral services will be conducted by Rev. H. S. Randall of the M. E. church next Sunday afternoon at 1:30 at the church. Burial will be in the Ritzville cemetery. Anna Ruth Trantum was born in Ritzville, March 31, 1897, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edgar L. Trantum. Her father died when she was a child. She grew up here and received her education in the local schools. On September 18, 1914, she was united in marriage to Mr. George Oestreich, son of County Commissioner and Mrs. J. J. Oestreich. To this union were born four children, two boys and two girls. The children who are thus deprived of a mother's care and love in their tender years are: Donald, LaVerne, Robert and Margaret. Mrs. Oestreich was a member of the Rebekah and Royal Neighbor lodges and of the Congregational church, having united with the church at the age of twelve. Through her long illness she was sustained by her Christian faith. She leaves to mourn her untimely death, her sorrowing husband, her children, her mother, her step-father, E. L. Allen, a brother Gard Trantum, of Spokane; two half-sisters, Mrs. George Olson of Alhambra, Cal., Mrs. Lottie Morse of Kennedy, N.Y., a half brother, Roy Trantum of Lewiston. The Journal-Times Thursday, December 11, 1924 issue Father Dies At Advanced Age A. B. Wiltse received word last week of the death of his father Jerome Wiltse, of Falls City, Nebraska. The Falls City Daily News contained the following obituary in its issue of Dec. 3rd: "Jerome Wiltse was born in Clarence, Erie County, New York, October 12, 1835. He died December 1, 1924 at 5:18 p.m., aged 90 years, 1 month and 19 days. "He was the youngest and last surviving member of a family of five sisters and six brothers. "He was married to Mary L. Wahl, in Newstead, Erie County, New York, December 7, 1859. "Mr. Wiltse leaves surviving him eight sons and one daughter: Carlos P. Wiltse, Mariaville, Nebraska; Dr. Edward W. Wiltse, Modale, Iowa; George W. Wiltse, Dawson, Nebraska; Albert B. Wiltse, Ritzville, Washington; Clarence H. Wiltse and John Wiltse of Falls City, Nebraska, and Miss Mary E. Wiltse, who is engaged as a teacher in the school of New Castle, Wyoming. Mrs. Wiltse passed away January 15, 1914. "Shortly after his marriage in 1859, Mr. and Mrs. Wiltse moved to Mukwonga, Wisconsin, where they lived until 1861. In May, 1861, they left Wisconsin in a covered wagon and moved to Nebraska. In the summer of 1861, Mr. Wiltse purchased an unimproved farm about six and one-half miles northeast of Falls City, where he resided until October, 1905, when he moved to Falls City, where he resided until his death. "In September, 1864, he enlised at St. Joseph, Mo., in Co. 1, later of the 448th Regiment of Captain John Grigsby. He was honorably discharged from service June 29, 1865. Mr. Wiltse was a member of the G. A. R., son of American Revolution and Nebraska Territorial Pioneer Association. "Mr. Wiltse belonged to that sturdy class of pioneers which early settled this western country and under whose industry it was transformed from a wild prairie desert into a veritable garden. He was of strong conviction, and was always outspoken in his convictions. He was a man of unimpeachable character whose word was always as good as his bond. He was not only impatient with all kinds of falsehoods, shams and hypocracy, but unhesitantingly condemned them in any form. He was true to his friends and never forgot a favor. "Mr. Wiltse was a man of high scholarly attainments and read extensively along historical and scientific lines. He was intensely loyal and devoted to his family and his country. His last illness was of short duration. He passed away peacefully and without a struggle. "The body of Jerome Wiltse has been moved to the home of his son, Clarence," Mrs. Valentine Miller Anna Mary Bauer was born May 6, 1852, at Kolb, North Russia, and passed away Nov. 25, 1924, in Ritzville. She grew to womanhood in her native country. In 1870 she was united in marriage to Mr. Valentine Miller. To this union were born five sons and two daughters. In 1878, the family came to America, and to Ritzville in 1882. Mrs. Miller was devoted to her home and to her church. She has been active in the German Zion Congregational church since 1915, taking full share of the responsibilities of the Ladies Aid and the church. Mrs. Miller is survived by her sorrowing husband and seven children: Henry, and Mrs. Fred Siegel, Tacoma; Pete, Newman Lake; and Jacob, George, Alex A., and Mrs. J. R. Rueppel of Ritzville. Funeral services were held at the Zion Congregational church Nov. 28th, 1924, the sermon being preached by Rev. J. Houn, pastor of the church. "There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God." Music was funished by the church choir. Beautiful flowers attested to the love and respect in which the deceased was universally esteemed. Burial took place in the Ritzville cemetery. The Journal-Times Thursday, December 18, 1924 issue Mrs. Emilia Boroviak Mrs. Emilia Boroviak, mother of Mrs. H. Heinemann of Ritzville and of Art Boroviak of Astoria, passed away at Valpariso, Indiana, the night of December 4th. Mrs. Heinemann was unable to go to the funeral. She had spent some time with her mother last summer, as she was then in failing health. Art Boroviak was with his mother during her final illness and remained for the funeral The following obituary is taken from the Valpariso Daily Vidette: "Mrs. Emilia Boroviak, for many years a resident of Wanatah, died on Thursday night at midnight at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Ross Kreiger, 58 Jefferson street. She had been in failing health since early last summer, but her condition did not become serious until about six weeks ago when she was forced to take to her bed. "Mrs. Boroviak was born February 7, 1848, in Griefenburg, Pommerm, Germany, and came to America with her husband and members of her family in 1881, settling in Wanatah. Here she resided until 1907, when she moved to Hammond to reside. In 1920 she came to Valpariso to make her home with her daughter, Mr. Boroviak passed away in 1906. "Surviving the decedent are three daughters, Mrs. Helen Heinemann of Ritzville, Wash.; Mrs. Marie Kreiger of Valpariso, and Miss Grace Boroviak of Chicago; and two sons, Arthur Boroviak of Astoria, Ore., and Hans Boroviak of Hammond. She also leaves one sister, Mrs. Emma Heinemann of Chicago, and a sister and brother in Germany. Two sons, Frank and Karl, preceded their mother in death. "Funeral services will be held from the home of Mrs. Ross Kreiger Sunday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock. Interment will be in the Osborn cemetery near Wanatah."