The Vancouver Independant (July 19, 1906 - January 31, 1907) Clark County, Washington by Heather Walden ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ************************************************************************ Published 7-19-1906 Napoleon Bonapart McGillvary, for many years a resident of this city, died at his home to Portland last Saturday, of paralysis, at the age of 81 years. Mr. McGillvary was born in Winipeg, Canada, April 29, 1925. With his father he went to Missouri when a child, and later at the age of 14, he crossed the plains to Oregon, following the party which was led by E. Meaker (first name not readable). His father was chief factor and originator of the North Pacific Fur Company, the successor of the Hudson Bay Company. The journeys of Napoleon McGillvary across the continent on several occasions were notable ones. His second trip to Oregon after returning to Missouri, was made by way of Cape Horn. Three other tips were made by the young man in a ox team by crossing the plains to and from the Middle States. McGillvary first acted as a clerk in his father's office at Vancouver, where a trading post had been established. He later engaged in trapping and fishing along the Columbia River from Astoria to Vancouver. In 1849 he went to California with the thousands of gold rushers, but returned to Oregon, where he constructed the first (griot or griet) mill in the state. Until 14 years ago, he made his home in Vancouver, when bad health forced him to retire from active business. He moved to Portland, where he resided with his daughter. Mr. McGillvary is survived by a widow, two daughters and a son. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Published 08-02-1906 Mrs. Pearl Ayers, wife of Edward Ayers, residing at Ellsworth, and bride of but three weeks, was fatally burned last Friday, while attempting to fight a fire with kerosene. She died at 11 o'clock after suffering intense agony for several hours. Mrs. Ayers was in the act of lighting the fire after saturating the wood in the stove with kerosine, when the can containing the kerosene exploded setting fire to her clothes. Running to the door of the home, Mrs. Ayers endeavored to put out the flames, but the wind only made them stronger. Near by was Percy Coldwell, son of W. E. Coldwell, who with great presence of mind called to a girl to telephone for a physician. In the meantime young Coldwell pu out the flames, but not until practally all the unfortunate woman's clothing had burned to an ash along with the flesh of her body. Deceased was the daghter of H Slawson and was married July 4. The Ayers home was completely destroyed by the fire that followed the exploding of the kerosene. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Published 09-06-06 The infant child of Mr and Mrs. A. C. Meyers died last Wednesday, after servere illness of abot five hours. It was buried Thursday, in the new cemetery near Yacolt. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Published 10-18-1906 A.A. Randall died, at his home near Fisher, Wash., Amana A. Randall, aged 88 (or 86) years. Deceased was born at Greensboro, Vermont, in 1820. His early and middle life was spent at Craftsbury, VA., where he was an active busy man. In 1861 he was married to Miss Thankful Latho (unable to read whole last name). When the Civil War broke out, he was among the first to enlist, surviving in Company I,Vermont Calgary. In 1888 his wife died. Shortly after this he came west, and about 20 years ago he settled in Vancouver, where for three years he resided. He then purchased a small farm on the Columbia near Fisher and for the past 17 years his chief delight has been to beautify and improve the same. In this undertaking he was ably assisted by his three surviving children, Mrs. Clara Eyan, B.A. Randall and Miss Grace Randall. Funeral Services were conducted at home by Rev. W.E. Bossman, interment at Fisher Cemetery. The familiar form and kindly face of "Grandpa" Randall will be missed by his many friends as they pass the beautiful home, where so others we have seen him cheerfully work. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Published 02-07-1907 Geo. A. Whipple received a dispatch yesterday announcing the death of his father, S.R. Whipple, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. C.E. Brown as Los Angeles, Calif. He suffered a stroke of appoplexy last Sunday and died Tuesday morning. Mr. Whipple was born in New York in 1823 and with his wife crossed the plains claim on Lake River, twelve miles below this city. In 1862 the family moved to Vancouver where the deceased continued to live until a few years ago when he went to California to make his home with his daughter. In 1856 Mr. Whipple was elected a member of the territorial legislature and represented this county at Olympia for two or more terms. He also served several years on the city council of Vancouver. He was a consistent member of the Methodist church of this city and rarely missed the services of the church while in this city. He leaves three hildren as follows Geo. A. Whipple of this county, Dr. Ella Whipple Marah, of Long Beach, Calif., and Mrs. C.E. Brown, of Los Angeles. The funeral will occure today at Los Angeles and it is expected that the body will be cremated as this was the expressed wish of the deceased. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Published 01-31-1907 Resident of Vancouver lives a long and useful life. James Connett Hitchock died at the home of his son, Edwin F. Hitchock, in Portland at 4:40 p.m. Sunday, January 20. Mr. Hitchock was born at Mentor, Ohio, on February 14, 1823, making him 88 years, 11 months and 6 days old. He went to Illinois while a young man and settled in the western part of Peoria County, moving from there to Henry County in 1863. In 1869 he moved to Adair County, Iowa, and in 1890 he came to Washington and settled in Vancouver, where he has since lived. On November 7, 1844, he was united in marriage to Emily Loraine Hunt, who for over 62 years has been his faithful companion and helpmeet. Besides his wife he is survived by six sons and large number of grandchildren, who mourn the loss of a faithful husband, parent and friend. His oldest son, Charles M., lives at Montailla, Portland, W. H. on Mill Plain, Clark County, Wash.; George C. at Ballard, Wash.; Frank L. P. near Menlo, Iowa; Edwin F. in Portland and AltonL, at Orange, Cal. Mr. Hitchcock has been engaged dring his lifetime in farming, mercantile business and carpetering. He has been a strong, vigorous man and up to two years ago was in the enjoyment of good health. About that time he began to fail in strength and had steadily gone down until he fell peacefully to sleep, not from any disease, but from a wearing out of the machinery of life. He was perfectly concious up to an hour of the end and was ready and anxious to be atrest. For 73 years he had been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church a consistent active Christian. Owing to his failing health Mr. and Mrs. Hitchcock went to stay with their son in Portland early in last October and expected to visit with others of their children during the winter. The funeral services were held from the First Methodist Church in Vancouver, Wash., of which he was a member on Tuesday, January 22 at 1 p.m. The funeral sermon was preached by Dr. D. C. Franklin, of Trinity Church, Seattle,, Wash., by request of Mr. Hitchcock, he having been his pastor several years in Iowa and a very intimate friend of the family. Interment was in the city cemetery, a large number of relatives and friends attending. ---END---