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This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Sue Gardner sueboo18@hotmail.com ==================================================================== The Journal-Times Thursday, Jan. 12, 1928 issue Thomas Leonard Buried In Spokane Funeral services for Thomas Leonard, who passed away at St. Luke's hospital, Spokane last Thursday, were held from Smith & Co's. undertaking parlors in Spokane Friday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock, conducted by Rev. Van Winkle, pastor of the Christian church. Pall bearers at the funeral were: H. E. Gritman, Ben Flett, Joe Hallet, John Gillett, Robert McChesney and William King. Burial was in Greenwood cemetery. Thomas Leonard was born in Colwell county Missouri, March 26th, 1845, and was 82 years, 10 months and 21 days of age at the time of his death. He crossed the plains with his parents in 1851, when a small child, the family settling at Silverton, Oregon. In 1883 Mr. Leonard was united in marriage with Sarah E. Mascher at Silverton, and three years later, in 1886, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard came to Ritzville, where they settled on a homestead 13 miles northwest of this city. The family lived on the farm until 1901, when they retired from active farming and moved into Ritzville. Mrs. Leonard passed away in 1909 and since that time Mr. Leonard has resided at the home on Knob Hill. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Leonard, all of whom survive him. They are Lena L. Jackson, Kemmerer, Wyoming; Orva L. Lemman, of Spokane; Wallace M. Leonard of Ritzville. He is also survived by two sisters, Mrs. Flora Clark and Mrs. Nettie Pooler, both of Salem, Oregon. Thus Thomas Leonard saw Ritzville and Adams county develop from a small village in the desert to its present size and he had no small part in that development. Undergoing all the trials of the early pioneers, he saw the country change form a desert stock range, without fences, from Spokane to the Columbia river, into one of the leading wheat producing counties of the northwest. Up until about a year ago, Mr. Leonard enjoyed robust health and was able to do active work every day. During the World war he was a faithful worker in the Red Cross organization in this city. He was in daily attendance at the Red Cross rooms and attended to all the heavy work, such as getting out garments sent away, packing, shipping, etc. It will be a long time before the Red Cross workers in the Adams county chapter forget the service rendered by Mr. Leonard, during the World war. For the past year he has failed rapidly in health and only his robust constitution permitted him to carry on as long as he did. Several times he was apparently near death's door but each time rallied, and a few weeks before his death so far recovered that is was thought possible he might return home. Thus Thomas Leonard's name is added to the list of the sturdy pioneers who helped to build this country, several of whom have passed away during the past year. B. Q. Davis Passes Although not unexpected, as it was known the condition of Mr. B. Q. Davis was very serious, the news of his death, which occurred on January 3, at Walla Walla where he had been taken for treatment, greatly saddened the Washtucna community, where he had lived the past eight years. He was manager of the Washtucna Power & Light Co., and was thus thrown in contact with many Washtucna people, who enjoyed his pleasant personality, and genial ways. The Davis family left here a few months ago, when it was found that Mr. Davis was in a serious condition. Benjamin Q. Davis was born in Spirit Lake, Iowa, 58 years ago. He came to Dayton with his parents, when 18 years of age. He married Miss Bertha Neuman of the city, four children of the union surviving, Ray of Starbuck, Mrs. Virgil Bettes of LaGrande, Ore., Rex of Washtucna and a daughter at Whitebird, Idaho. For several years Mr. Davis was in charge of the Whitebird, Idaho Light Co., coming to Washtucna from that city. The funeral was held last Friday at Dayton, with interment in the Dayton cemetery. The Journal-Times Thursday, Jan. 19, 1928 issue Sister Dies At Lacrosse C. W. Rathbun was called to Lacrosse Tuesday by receipt of news that his eldest sister, Mrs. Hannah C. Beard had passed away suddenly that morning. Mrs. Beard had been an invalid for several years. Funeral arrangements had not been completed when Mr. Rathbun left the city, but the services and burial will be at Lacrosse. Mr. Rathbun expects to return to Ritzville Saturday. Mrs. John Koch Dies Suddenly Mrs. John Koch passed away at the family home in this city Tuesday afternoon, after an illness extending over a period of about a year. Dropsy was the immediate cause of her death. Mrs. Koch was taken to Spokane a few months ago for treatment and for a time seemed to improve. For the past few weeks, however, she has failed in health, and although the end came suddenly, it was not entirely unexpected. Miss Pauline Donis was born in Russia on June 29th, 1863. Next June she would have been 65 years of age. She came with her parents to America in 1887, settling at Hastings, Nebraska. A year later, in 1888, she was united in marriage with John Koch, at Hastings. Shortly after the marriage the family came direct from Hastings to Ritzville, where they located on a farm six miles west of this city. Fourteen years ago they moved into the city, and Mr. Koch entered the employ of the Ritzville Trading company, where he now has charge of the hardware department. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Koch, all of whom are living with the exception of Victor, who passed away several years ago. Besides the husband, she is survived by the following children: Carl C. Koch of Portland, Oregon' Mrs. Guy Egbers, Ritzville; Mrs. William Danekas, Ritzville; Mrs. B. E. Sturgeon of Seattle; Twin boys, Solomon and David, now living at Portland, Oregon; Ted, now in Okanogan, and Arthur, the youngest at home. Funeral services will be held from the Zion Congregational church on Friday afternoon, conducted by the pastor, Rev. Julius Houn. Burial will be in the Ritzville cemetery. While Mrs. Koch was a pioneer of this city, having lived here since 1888, about 40 years, probably many more people enjoyed a much larger acquaintance. Mrs. Koch devoted her entire life to her family and was a kind and loving wife and mother. She was always looking out for the welfare of her familly and other things were of secondary consequence to her. Pall bearers at the funeral will be old friends of the family in this vicinity. Dies At Spokane Mrs. Lydia Metcalf, wife of Ivey Metcalf passed away at the family home in Spokane Tuesday. The Metcalfs formerly were residents of Ritzville where they conducted the Grill cafe for a number of years. About a year ago they traded their property here for the Benton apartments at Spokane and since that time have been living in Spokane. Funeral services will be held on Friday at 2:00 p.m. from the Hazen and Jeager parlors and burial will be at Spokane. Mrs. Kembel Had Lived Here Nearly 40 Years With the rostrom, casket and entire front of the church heaped with one of the most beautiful displays of floral tributes ever seen in this city, Rev. H. Neutzmann, pastor of the Philadelphia Congregational church, preached the funeral sermon for Mrs. Dorothea Kembel at the church, Sunday at 2 o'clock p.m. Mrs. Kembel passed away at her home in this city on Friday at 9:50 a.m. The remains were laid to rest in the family lot in the Ritzville cemetery, beside those of her husband and two sons who had preceded her in the journey to the other shore. Dorothea Elizabeth Dewald was born in Hussenbach, North Russia, December 3, 1856, and was 71 years, 1 month and 10 days of age at the time of her death. She had been in poor health for several years and for the past five weeks had been bedfast. Mrs. Kembel came to America with her parents from Russia in 1878, settling first at Hastings, Nebraska. In February, 1879, she was united in marriage with Fred Kembel at Hastings, and in 1882 they crossed the plains in one of the caravan of 50 prairie schooners over the old Oregon trail, settling at Walla Walla, which was then a small village. They resided at Walla Walla until 1884, when the family moved to Bickleton, remaining there until 1891, when they came to Ritzville, where they purchased a place from Daniel Buchanan, four and a half miles southwest of Ritzville, and which is now occupied by her son, William and family. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kembel. The first born passed away in infancy at Hastings. Henry, the eldest son, and George were born in Nebraska, William and John at Bickleton, Wash., Joe at Ritzville. One other child was born but died in infancy. Mr. Kembel passed away in 1914. George passed away in 1917 and Henry in August, 1927. The others survive and are living in or near Ritzville. Mrs. Kembel was a member of the Philadelphia Congregational church, having been a member of that congregation since it was first built. The floral tributes at the funeral indicated the esteem in which Mrs. Kembel and her family were held in this vicinity. The family was one of the real pioneers of Adams county and the Big Bend. In the caravan which crossed the plains in the early days, many of the old time residents of this vicinity are numbered. Included in that caravan were the Rosenoffs, Kanzler, Thiel, Amen, Oestreich and many other well known families. The church was filled to overflowing for the services, many not being able to gain admittance. The Journal-Times Thursday, Jan. 26, 1928 issue Mrs. Heimbigner Mrs. Andrew Heimbigner, an old pioneer of this county, passed away at Odessa last Sunday. Mrs. Heimbigner moved to Odessa about 12 years ago. She was 73 years of age. The funeral services were held at Odessa. Adams County Pioneer Passes Passing more than a quarter a century in Adams county, Mrs. Martha Kennedy Hawkins was called to lasting reward at her home near Benge on January 22, at 3:50 p.m. She was born in Missouri March 9, 1848, and thus was 79 years, 10 months and 8 days of age at the time of her death. She moved to Texas in 1876 and came from that state to this vicinity in 1900. She was a woman of many sterling qualities that endeared her to the community in which she lived. She is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Lucy Banks. The funeral service was held at the home of a niece, Mrs. John Gray, Rev. Campbell from the U.P. church officiating. Mrs. Georgia McCabe gave two vocal numbers. Interment was in the Washtucna cemetery. Many lovely floral offerings filled the room where the remains lay. A very large crowd, many from miles away, attended the service. Father Dies At Astoria Eugene B. Baker, father of Mrs. F. B. Shepley of this city, passed away at Astoria, Oregon, last Friday morning. Mr. Baker was 82 years of age. Besides his wife, who is an invalid, he is survived by three daughters, Mrs. C. V. Coons, Spokane; Mrs. F. B. Shepley, Ritzville; Mrs. Paul Hitchcock, St. Paul; also by four sons, Sam C. Spokane; Louis N. Astoria; Edwin J. and Eugene B. in Missouri. The remains were taken to Spokane and funeral services were held from Hazen & Jeager's chapel Tuesday at 10 a.m. Burial was in Riverside Park cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Baker were married in 1865, during the Civil war and besides those mentioned above Mr. Baker is survived by 15 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Mr. Baker was born at Wheeling, West Virginia. The Journal-Times Thursday, Feb. 2, 1928 issue Ritzville Girl Buried At Kent Mrs. David Rigg (Gail Haight) passed away at Saint Anthony hospital, Wenatchee, last Friday morning following an illness extending over the past six years. Mrs. Rigg was a victim of tuberculosis and during the past six years her mother, husband and family have devoted their time and attention in an effort to overcome the disease. She was taken to California where for a time she was apparently benefitted but the benefit was only temporary and in December of last year tuberculosis of the stomach and bowels developed and she was unable to overcome the disease, although the best medical attention and care was enlisted. Gail was born in Ritzville, October 1, 1901, and would have been 27 years of age next October. She grew to young womanhood here and attended the public school of this city. On November 1, 1919, she was united in marriage with David Rigg at the M. F. Haight home in this city. After leaving Ritzville, they made their home in Olympia, in California and at Wenatchee. Funeral services were held at Wenatchee last Sunday and the remains were taken to Kent, Wash., to be laid at rest beside the remains of her father. Rev. W. W. Newberry of Seattle, conducted the services and Rev. R. B. Ekvall, a missionary from Tibet, China, sang at the service. Besides her mother, Mrs. Esther Haight, and her husband, David Rigg, she is survived by two brothers, M. F. and Dr. Lloyd Haight, both of this city. She also leaves a large circle of friends here to mourn her passing. Mrs. Heimbigner Buried At Odessa The Odessa Record of last week contains the following obituary notice of the death of Mrs. Katherine Heimbigner, who passed away at Odessa a week ago Sunday. Mention of her death was made in the Journal-Times last week. She was a pioneer resident of Adams county, who moved to Odessa about 12 years ago. Mrs. Heimbigner was born in Frank, Russia, February 1855 and at the age of 26 was united in marriage with Andrew Heimbigner. They resided in Russia for a few years and 40 years ago came to the United States and settled at Bickleton, Wash. Later they moved to Walla Walla and then came to the Odessa country, settling on a homestead southeast of town. After her husband died in 1911, she resided with her son, Jacob, on the homeplace until she built in Odessa and moved to town. Mrs. Heimbigner is survived by four children and two step children: J. R. Heimbigner, Garfield' Jacob Heimbigner, Mrs. Lydia Greenwalt, and Mrs. H. Gettman, Odessa, Conrad Heimbigner, Puyallup and Henry Heimbigner of Ritzville. Her funeral was held from the St. Mathews Congregational church of which she was a member, Wednesday, the Rev. P. Kalmbach officiating, after which interment took place at the Odessa cemetery which was started by her husband. Another Pioneer Buried Here Sunday Funeral services for Mrs. George Dewald, who passed away at Coeur d'Alene last week were held at the M. E. church in this city last Sunday, conducted by the pastor, Rev. W. G. R. Dann, assisted by Rev. Kleinbach, the latter conducting the German service. Mrs. Dewald was a pioneer of this county, coming here in 1895. She was born in Russia and came to this country when but a small child, settling first at Nebraska. From there she moved to this state, settling first at Walla Walla. From there the family moved to Bickleton and then to Ritzville. The family came here in the same caravan as the Kembels and other old settlers, coming overland by prairie schooners. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Dewald, four of whom are now living. One son and one daughter preceded Mrs. Dewald in death. Besides her husband two boys, Henry and John, and two girls, Elsie and Mrs. Nathal Combs, survive to mourn her loss. The boys live at Coeur d'Alene and Mrs. Combs resides at Leavenworth, Wash. Interment was in the Ritzville cemetery. Mrs. Lou Gwin Buried The funeral of Mrs. Lou Gwin was held Wednesday morning at the Christian church in Washtucna with Rev. Campbell of the U. P. church officiating. A quartet composed of Mr. and Mrs. B. M Sitton, Mrs. Bachman and Mr. Hurst sang four numbers. The church was filled to capacity with sorrowing friends and relatives, who had come to pay their last respects to a kind neighbor, loyal friend, loving wife and mother. Always cheerful, thoughtful and good, the passing of Mrs. Gwin, better known as Mrs. Cameron, since she born that name for many years in this community, will be long felt. The pallbearers were Lee Wilson, G. Cohn, B. Ellege, Will Smith, Secrest, and P. D. Chamberlin. Interment was in the Washtucna cemetery. Lujetia Wicker was born March 3, 1870, in Pitts county, Missouri. Here she was married to James Cameron on March 14, 1886, and they moved to Washington in 1902. To this union was born nine children, all but one who died in infancy, survive. They are Grover A. of Yakima, W. D. of LaGrande, Hattie C. Keeling of Yakima, Dena Kathelene Jordan of LaGrande, Ore., Bertha Allen of Long Beach, Cal., Gladys West of Portland, Ore., Floyd and Grace, both of Washtucna. Mrs. Allen and Mrs. Jordan were unable to attend the funeral. She also is survived by 3 sisters, Mrs. P. D. Chamberlin of Washtucna, Mrs. Julia Guier of Hayden Lake, Idaho, and Mrs. Hattie Bowan of Los Angeles, Cal. She had 21 grandchildren. Several years after the death of Mr. Cameron, which occurred in 1918, Mrs. Cameron was united in marriage with Mr. P. P. Easley of this place, who died one year later. In January 1927, she was united in marriage with Robert Gwin of Washtucna. March 1, 1928, the name of the newspaper changed. The Ritzville Journal-Times Thursday, April 5, 1928 issue Schrag Pioneer Passes Monday At Age Of 71 Joseph Lamb, age 71, died Monday morning at his home about 1-1/2 miles east of Schrag, where he had been a farmer for many years and was well and favorably known throughout the county. The funeral services were conducted from the M. E. church in Ritzville Wednesday afternoon by Rev. D. D. King, pastor of the Menno church. Interment was in the family plot of the local cemetery. Mr. Lamb was a charter member of the Ritzville W. O. W. lodge and the pallbearers were fellow members from the local order. Mr. Lamb leaves a widow, two daughters and three sons. Burns Are Fatal To Aged Resident Jacob Thiel, 87, a resident of Ritzville for nearly 25 years died at his home in this city Tuesday evening from injuries received when he fell in an abandoned well containing burning rubbish last Friday. Mr. Thiel was first discovered in the well by Mrs. Thiel, when she noticed smoke emerging and gave the alarm. Mr. Thiel was rescued, but not until he had received bad burns from the rubbish fire, and had been in the hole presumably for at least two hours. Much of his clothing had been burned off. Due to his advanced age, combined with the injuries received from the fall and his burns, he failed to rally from the shock. Mr. Thiel was a native of Russia. He leaves his widow, three sons, Jacob, John and Henry of Idaho, and one daughter, Mrs. John Rehn of Lind, by a former marriage, and two daughters, one in Idaho and the other in California, by his second marriage. No definite funeral arrangements have been made, as they are being postponed pending hearing from the daughter in California, but tentative arrangements are being made for Sunday, the services to be conducted from the Zion Congregational church of this city. The Ritzville Journal-Times Thursday, April 12, 1928 issue Long Suffering Ended By Death Mrs. John Armstrong for many years a resident of this vicinity, passed away at the family home Easter Sunday, following a long illness. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Dann from the Methodist church Wednesday afternoon, with interment in the local cemetery. Elsie S. Landry was a native of Washington, and was born at Spokane October 28, 1881, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank S. Landry. She was married to John Armstrong on January 19, 1900, at Spokane, the young people coming to Adams county shortly after and had since made their home here. Mrs. Armstrong leaves her husband and three children, the latter being J. Erling Armstrong of Ritzville, Theressa O. Altridge of Grandview and Lois Oestreich of Ritzville. She also is survived by her mother, Mrs. John MacDonald; two sisters, Mrs. C. L. Thorne of LaGrande and Mrs. Margaret Moon of Ritzville; two brothers, W. S. Landry and Jack MacDonald, both of Spokane. Mrs. Armstrong had been a sufferer of valvular heart trouble for a number of years and later complications hastened the end, but during all the years of ill health, she was always patient, kind and enduring. She was greatly beloved by all. Child Drowned In Small Pool Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Ott and daughter, Mrs. H. A. Manke, were called to Zenith the first of the week to attend the funeral of John, the little son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Denecke, former Ritzville people. The child, who was about four years of age, was drowned Saturday afternoon in a small pool less than three feet deep on the place of which Mr. Denecke is the caretaker. When discovered, life was extinct. Funeral services were held Tuesday. The stricken parents are well known here, having left for the coast about six years ago to make their home at Zenith, between Seattle and Tacoma. Mrs. Denecke is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Ott. The Ritzville Journal-Times Thursday, April 19, 1928 issue Popular Ritzville Man Is Summoned Ritzville people were shocked last Friday to learn that Fred Achziger, born and raised a Ritzville boy and who numbered his friends by the hundreds, had passed away that day at the Veterans' hospital in Tacoma, but four hours after he had been taken there from the Walla Walla hospital. Mr. Achziger was stricken with a very severe case of influenza the latter part of January, and after recovering to some extent he went to Spokane for treatments. Failing to recover from the effects of the attack he became a patient in the Walla Walla hospital on March 12th. For a time it was thought he would completely recover, but complications developed and as a last resort he was rushed to the hospital in Tacoma, passing away a few hours after his arrival there. The body was brought back to Ritzville and the funeral held Tuesday afternoon from the Philadelphia German Congregational church, of which Mr. Achziger had been a member since its organization. He had since young manhood been an active and sincere church worker. The funeral services were largely attended and the floral tributes profuse. The local I.O.O.F. attended the funeral in a body, Mr. Achziger being a member of the Ritzville lodge and a past noble grand. Mr. Achziger was also a veteran of the World War, serving overseas as a master mechanic in the aviation corps, enlisting in 1917 and was honorably discharged in December of 1918. The local post led the funeral cortege to the cemetery. A volley was fired over the grave and taps sounded for the departed comrade. John Fred Achziger was born in Ritzville January 23, 1888. At the age of 14, Fred's father died, and he assumed the obligation of caring for his mother and continued to do so until his death. He was unmarried. For the last ten years he was a faithful employee of the Ritzville Trading Co., and the store closed during the funeral in honor of his memory. Wishing to get into business for himself, Fred had formed a partnership with Henry Clodius in the purchase of the Big Bend Machinery Co., and had resigned his place at the store, to become effective february 1. He was taken ill while still working at the store. Death intervened and kept the partnership from materializing. Mr. Achziger is survived by his mother, Mrs. Katie Achziger; one brother, Jacob of Modesto, Cal.; three sisters, Mrs. P. B. Hunt, Ritzville; Mrs. Henry Thiel, Jr., Ritzville; and Mrs. Katie Schroeder, Portland, Ore., all of whom were here for the funeral. His father, two brothers and six sisters preceded him in death. Called To California By Death Of Mother A. C. German left Saturday evening for Oakland, Cal., called there by the death of his mother, Mrs. Etta German, who passed away at the home of another son, at the age of 77. Mrs. German had made her home in California for 35 years, but spent one summer with her son here. She also leaves two daughters, Mrs. Ralph Rumley of Tacoma, and Mrs. Albert Weick of Wayland, Mich. The Ritzville Journal-Times Thursday, April 26, 1928 issue G.A.R. Veteran Passes Monday evening at 5:15 J. W. Price, father of Mrs. Ella Price and Mrs. Mary Oyler of Washtucna, passed to his last reward at the home of his daughters at Washtucna. Some weeks ago Mr. Price had the misfortune to break his hip and at his advanced age he could not recover. He was one of the two remaining veterans of the Civil War in this county, there being one other, Mr. Snider of Ritzville, who with Mrs. Miller, president of the Woman's Relief corps of Ritzville and two other members, visited Mr. Price the day before his death, also presenting him with a plant and offering aid later, which was not needed, as all possible was being done. Mr. Price had lived at Washtucna the past few years of his life and was known as a splendid Christian gentleman of whom the town was justly proud and who mourn his passing. John Wesley Price was born at Taswell, Tenn., September 26, 1840. At the age of 10 his parents moved to Kentucky and he lived there until the end of the Civil War, or until 21 years of age. He served in Grant's army form his entrance until the end of the war, four years and five months. April 19, 1866, he was united in marriage to Mary Francis Reynolds at Quincy, Ill., from there moving to Missouri. To this union were born nine children: Mrs. W. H. Oyler, R. J. Price, Mrs. Ida Shriver, James N., Espy E., and Geo. C. Price. Three children died in infancy. There were 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. The funeral services were held at Pasco Wednesday, a number from here attending. Interment was in Pasco cemetery beside the grave of his wife, who died in 1923. Rev. Campbell officiated and Mrs. McCabe had charge