These are obituaries that I and others have donated. If there is no contributor at the end of the obituary, it is one that I have transcribed. If there is a name but no link, it is one that a person has contributed but they have no further information on that person. Please take time to give the contributor a thank-you so they know that their information is helpful to others and they will feel like continuing to contribute. If you have any obituaries you can donate, please drop a line to Janine M. Bork.Your information can help others.

William Bales passed away Tuesday evening June 25, 1935, at his home in Joseph. Funeral services were held at the Methodist church in Joseph Thursday, and burial was in the Wallowa cemetery, Rev. G.R. Archer, pastor at Joseph conducted the services.

Mr. Bales was born Jan. 17, 1852, at Livingston, Kentucky, and was married in1872 to Margaret Carpenter. She died Oct. 12, 1896. Three years later, in 1899, Mr. Bales moved to Missouri, and in 1900 came to Oregon, settling in Wallowa. He farmed in that vicinity until 25 years ago when he movd to Joseph where he had a pleasant home wit garden and pasture for cow.

He was married Oct. 9, 1914, to Katie Wolfer in Joseph. She survives him, and there are four children: E.G. Bales of Oskaloosa, Mo., Mrs. Alice Grady of Egan, Tenn., G.B. Bales of Corvallis and M.C. Bales of Newport, and there are also 18 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. One sister, Mrs. Martha Rogers, lives at Milo, Mo.

Mr. Bales lived quietly and comfortably. He was a kind and loving husband and father and a good citizen in the community.

We take this means of expressing our appreciation for the kindness of many friends and neighbors during our recent bereavement, and especially thank them for the beautiful flowers. - Mrs. William Bales and family.

Died - September 20, 1895, Mabel Beach, daughter of W.J. Beach, from the effect of scarlet fever. She was a patient little sufferer, and the bereaved family have the sympathy of the neighborhood in their affliction. Rachel

Chas. Beaumont received word yesterday that his brother J.W. had died at Milton from the effects of the "Flue." He went to that place yesterday.

Harry C. Beeson, Peter Bue and August Lunquist Give Lives in Service Of the Flag.

Telegrams were received Saturday evening from the war department announcing the death of August Linquist and Harry C. Beeson and Peter Bue in action on the field of battle in France. They were all killed on the same day according to the telegram.

Harry C. Beeson was the son of M.H. and Julia Beeson who live on the Chas. Bilyea farm near Enterprise. He was 23 years of age and was born in Wyoming. He left with the contingent of June 24th.

August Lunquist was born in Norway and was 26 years of age. He leaves a brother, Carl, who lives in Enterprise. He also left for Camp Lewis on June 24th. He had been employed at the East Oregon Mills for some time.

Peter Bue was the son of Mr. and Mrs. C.K. Bue of Enterprise and was 26 years of age. He left with the other boys on June 24th.

Enterprise has suffered heavily, losing so far as reports have come five of her best young men, more in proportion to the population than any city we have heard of so far. The boys were in action after the short space of three months from the time they discarded their civilian clothes for the uniform of their country and must have been engaged in one of the worst battles of the war north of Verdun where the United troops had the difficult task of pusing the Huns back through forests and rough country.

Clayton Goodman received the sad news Friday evening of the death of his sister, Mrs. Bessie Goodman Beirs, at Salem. He left for La Grande Saturday morning after having just returned from there Friday evening, to be with his mother, Mrs. Mary Goodman while his sister, Mrs. Pauline Alusworth and her husband went to Salem to attend the funeral.

The news of her death was a shock to the family and friends, as they had not had any word of her illness, but a letter written a week earlier to her brother Clayton, stated that her little girl Naomi, had been quite sick with sore throat, the doctor being uncertain whether it was diphtheria. Mrs. Beirs died of that disease after only a few days illness. Mrs. Geo. Dodge's brother, a young Mr. Hammack, who arrived from Salem on Tuesday said he met her on the street in Salem going to a pharmacy for medicine for her little girl on Monday.

Mrs. Beirs has many relatives here. Her other brother, Ralph, lives here and she was a niece of A.M. and J.S. Wagner of Enterprise. She spent practically all of her girlhood at Lostine, and has many old friends to mourn her departure. She was here for just one Sunday the latter part of August, the first time she had been to Lostine since about 7 years ago when she left for Salem, and the near relatives now feel her visit was providential. She leaves a sister, Mrs. Effie Foster of Dunamuir, Calif., and Mrs. Lenore Reed of Portland and another brother Rawleigh Goodman of Ashland, besides those already mentioned and her brothers at Enterprise.

Warren Beith died at the home of his father in Wallowa, Tuesday evening, Dec. 17th of pneumonia following an attack of the "flu." He had been sick for several days. A brother who is in the army at Camp Fremont, is on his way home but was too late to see his brother. Funeral services were held Wednesday from the home.

Joseph Belsher died Jany. 1st, 1919, at the open air sanitarium at Salem, Oregon. He went there from Wallowa county on June 24, 1918, for relief from tuberculosis of the bone. The deceased was born July 16, 1898, in Elk Creek, Texas county, Missouri. He came to Wallowa county in November 1914, and lived with his brother Forest Belsher, on a homestead in Crow Creek Pass. He was laid to rest in the I.O.O.F. cemetery at Salem, Oregon. He leaves four brothers and sisters.

Mrs. Leo Benson of Enterprise died at Wallowa hospital Tuesday evening. Last Friday she underwent a Cesarean operation. The child died soon after and the mother lived only until Tuesday. The remains of both will be taken to Enterprise Wednesday for burial. Mrs. Benson was the wife of a prosperous farmer of the upper valley and the sister of Mrs. Harry Lyman, and Mrs. Peffer of Wallowa.

Mrs. L. Berland died Thursday evening of last week after an illness of about a week, a second paralytic stroke apparently being the immediate cause of her death. Funeral was held Monday at 2 p.m. from the Methodist church by Rev. Cullison, and interment was made in the local cemetery.

Mrs. Berland was 70 years old, and was one of the most highly respected residents of Wallowa county having lived here 25 years. As a token of the high esteem in which the family are held, the stores of Enterprise were closed two hours Monday while the funeral and burial were in progress.

She leaves a husband and eight children to mourn her loss. The children are: Oscar Berland, of Paradise; Bert Berland of Brady, Montana; Edward Berland, of Joseph; Mrs. Camber and Mrs. Quick, of Portland; Mrs. Day, Mrs. williamson and Mrs. Steffy of Enterprise.

The bereaved family have the heart felt sympathy of the entire community.

Robert Berner, the first Wallowa county boy to die on the field of battle in France, was killed in action July 15, according to word received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.J. Berner of Flora. Two other men from this county have died in service. Alfred Hagen, who succumbed to pneumonia in England, and Stanley R. Augusburger of a forest regiment who was lost on the torpedoed transport Tuscania.

Robert Berner and Richard Garrett went to Spokane and enlisted in the artillery in July, 1917. Robert was born in this county and was 19 years old when he left home. At the time of his death he was in the 10th field artillery and undoubtedly had been in the thick of the fighting in the summer, and those who knew him feel sure he proved his worth on the field of battle, and laid down his life like a true American, of whom his country may be proud.

The parents were prostrated by the blow, and, when a neighbor boy, William Bork, left home this week for the army, Mr. Berner made a touching appeal to him. He asked him, if he got to France, to try to find Robert's grave and have a photograph taken of it. Robert is survived by his parents and three sisters, Mrs. W.G. Ericson, Mrs. Claud Cole and Lavilla Berner, and one brother, James.

Chas. W. Berry died Monday morning at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Berry, of pneumonia resulting from influenza. He was ill only thirteen days. He was born at Imbler and was 20 years and 6 months of age. Besides his parents he leaves 6 brothers and one sister. Two of the brothers, Claude and W.A. who live in La Grande accompanied the remains to Summerville for interment.

Wilma, the six year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wagner Bey, died at the home of her grandfather, Benj. Ownby, last wednesday and was buried in the Alder Slope cemetery, Thursday afternoon. Rev. Cullison was in charge of the service.

Mrs. Binkley, mother of Mrs. Wm. Halsey, died at her daughter's home on Prairie Creek last Thursday.

Memorial services were conducted by the Bollman Funeral home Monday at 2 p.m. from the Community Church for Mrs. Mary Bloom who passed away Friday, November 7, 1958 at Wallowa Memorial Hospital. Rev. John Munsey officiated and Guy Craig was soloist, singing "Hear My Prayer." Mrs. Edna Craig was organist.

Casket bearers were: Wayne Williamson, Edwin Emmons, Richard O. Harmon, and George W. Emmons. Vault entombment was in the Enterprise Cemetery.

Mrs. Bloom was born March 23, 1886 at Wallowa and was the daughter of Hiram and Sarah Cramer, early pioneers of Wallowa County. She had lived in the county all of her life. On December 24, 1906 she was married to Edwin Bloom who passed away May 11, 1936. For many years she had been an operator for the local telephone company and she was a member of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers AFL No. 125. While she had been in frail health for several months, she had continued at her work and her passing was a shock to her many friends. She had been a hospital patient for only two days.

Surviving are four sisters and one brother: Mrs. Laura Harris, Seattle; Mrs. Myrtle Woodell, La Grande; Mrs. Tressie Downs, Alhambra, Calif.; Mrs. Fern Wade, Glendale, Calif.; and Lloyd Cramer, Bruneau, Ida.

Lois Bonner, 91 years old, of Weiser, Idaho, died Feb. 14, 1984 at Weiser, Idaho at the Weiser Care Center. Services were Feb. 17, 1984 at the Thomason Funeral Chapel in Weiser. Burial was at the Hillscrest cemetery. She was born Sept. 26, 1892 at Atlanta, Ill., the daughter of William J. & Margaret Reece. She was married to Earl Bonner on Dec. 14, 1917 in Enterprise.

Victor Booker died very suddenly Friday of what is supposed to be heart trouble. He was buried Sunday afternoon.

Enoch R. Bowlby died at the Enterprise hospital Saturday evening, Sept. 24, 1938. He had not been well for several years and for some 12 months past had been failing steadily. Funeral services were held Monday at the Booth chapel, conducted by Rev. Paul C. Cramblit. Burial was in Enterprise cemetery and services at the grave were in charge of the Masonic lodge.

Mr. Bowlby was born in Green county, Pennsylvania, June 9, 1861, and when a young man went to Colorado where he handled stock. He went later to Natoma, Kansas, where he worked with a brother, S.L. Bowlby. He was married there May 23, 1884, to Lulu M. Quinn. He came to Oregon in 1888, going first to Portland, and then to Umatilla county. The next year he came to Union county and in 1893 he landed in Wallowa county, which remained his home.

He homesteaded a mile and a half south of Enterprise and had an extensive ranch, running sheep on a large scale. Later he fed cattle, and ultimately bought a ranch on Swamp creek. He was very well-to-do in early days and built the Main street building now owned and occupied by Byram Mayfield. In later years he suffered reverses from which he was not able to recover. He was a true gentleman and always held the friendship of his old companions and associates.

Surviving are the wife, Mrs. Lulu M. Bowlby; one daughter, Mrs. Mae C. Hansen; two sisters, Mrs. Belle Hall of West Virginia and Mrs. Elizabeth Worley of Paradise, Kan;  one brother R.M. Bowlby of Kellerton, Iowa; a grandson, R.J. Hansen and two great granddaughters, Belva and Nancy Lee Hansen.

We wish to thank many friends for the beautiful flowers and many kindnesses shown us during our recent bereavement. - Mrs. E.R. Bowlby, Mrs. Mae C. Hanson and Ross Hanson.

(There is a Bowlby Family site on the internet. It's at  Bowlby Family . Also if you would like to contact  Cynthia Katzman Bowlby , she is one of the resarchers for the site.

Word was received here Tuesday of the death of Mrs. Daniel (Ethel A.) Boyd of Los Angeles, who passed away very suddenly Friday, Aug. 1. The passing was a great shock to the entire family, as she was apparently very well, active and cheerful.

Funeral services were held Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Grace Presbyterian church in LosAngeels. (sic)

Mrs. Boyd is survived by three sons; Robert A. and Stockton Boyd, of Portland; and Daniel (Billy) Boyd of Los Angeles; two daughters; Mrs. Philo Anderson (Margaret) of Baker and Mrs. Benton E. Long (Catherine) of Los Angeles, and by five grandchildren.

The Boyd family lived for many years in Enterprise where they contributed largely to the church, social, fraternal and school activities of the town. Mr. Boyd was a prominent attorney. Mrs. Boyd actively engaged in work of the Eastern Star, of which she was a past matron.

Mrs. Boyd spent a few days with friends in Enterprise last summer.

Walter S. Brockman, the largest owner of cattle in Wallowa county, was found dead below a Snake river trail Monday afternoon. The trail runs from the schoolhouse to the James Wisenor ranch, climbing up from the river and crossing a bench, and then dropping down to the stream again.

As the slopes are precipiteus on Snake river, there are many places where there is a long drop from the trails to the gulches below. The children of Gus Strumbaugh, who attend the school on the river, were going home along the trail Monday afternoon when a girl noticed a dead packmule lying in the bottom of the gulch below.

The children descended the pitch to the spot and found the body of Mr. Brockman lying near that of the loaded animal. Some of Mr. Brockman's horses also were in the neighborhood, it is said. The children fled from the spot and reported their discovery. Mrs. Stumbaugh rode to the Imnaha store and told what she had learned, and word was brought to Enterprise on Tuesday by C.C. Boswell.

The place where Mr. Brockman met his death is one of the most remote in the country, as it is 50 miles from a railroad, and there is no wagon road nearer than the breaks of Snake river, the crest of the great canyon. The ranches on the tiny bottom lands along the stream are reached by trail or by power boat from Lewiston. Telephone facilities are meager and uncertain.

The last word which had reached Imnaha yesterday was that Mr. Brockman's body had been taken to Pittsburg, where an investigation was held by men living there. The supposition from persons who knew the cattleman is that some accident happened as he and his pack animals were traveling the trail, and they were thrown down the steep slope and killed by the fall.

Mr. Brockman and wife and child spent part of their time at the ranch on the river, and part on his wheat farm not far from Grangeville. It was reported that Mrs. Brockman was ill and at a hospital at Grangeville at the time her husband met his death. They were married six and a half years ago.

Mr. Brockman was a remarkable man, suited by nature for life in the canyons, for he was daring to a fault and knew no fear. One of his feats, which was quite in the day's work for him was to swim his horse in Snake river for hours while driving cattle across. He would head the cattle into the river, and then force his horse into the current below them to keep them from milling around and turning back. One band after another would be driven over this way until he had got a large herd across.

When a young man, Mr. Brockman was struck by lighting which left a remarkable souvenir of its visit. It struck on the crown of his head and went down his back and right leg, burning a streak which was marked by a white scar. The shock impaired Mr. Brockman's hearing permanently.

In 1912 he had a characteristic Snake river adventure. He was riding a horse that never relished being under the saddle and usually started a ride with an exhibition of bucking. This time he was on the horse on a hill above a cliff. The animal started plunging toward the brink and before Mr. Brockman had a chance to jump off safely, horse and rider sailed over the edge. As they cleared, Mr. Brockman disengaged himself from his saddle and dropped straight down the side of the cliff. About 35 feet below he struck on a rock ledge, but he could not stop himself and shot on down, altho he bumped again on the walls before landing.

There was a bed of gravel at the base of the cliff, Mr. Brockman landed feet first, going deep in the soft gravel. His arms and legs were bruised but no serious injury was suffered. The horse lodged in some brush farther down the gulch, and was got out safely, but Mr. Brockman did not so much as put a halter on it again for at least 18 months. The cliff was measured afterward and found to be 72 feet high. These details were from Mr. Brockman himself when in Enterprise some time afterward.

At the time he said he had 45 acres of alfalfa on Snake river, from which he cut large crops, using mowing machines taken in on pack horses. He had a large farm near Grangeville, where he raised grain for fattening his cattle, his shipping point being Steunenburg. In October 1912 he proved up on a Snake river homestead, altho he was at the time the largest owner of cattle in the county. He then had upwards of 1000 head, and the number has grown somewhat since.

Fred Billings Brown, 76, died of cancer, on Sunday, Nov. 7, 1993, at his residence in Battle Mountain, Nevada.

A native of Enterprise, he was born Sept. 13, 1917, the son of Fred and Grace Elizabeth (Humpherys) Brown.

He was educated in Baker City and worked as a mechanic and truck owner/operator. In 1958 he started to work for Reno Truck Service until he was forced to retire because of ill health. He moved to Reno in 1955 and worked for McCloud Trucking of Reno and then established his own trucking company, moving to Battle Mountain in 1973.

Survivors include his sons, Robert Brown of Battle Mountain, Michael Brown of Fall City, Wash., Steve Brown of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; daughter, Karen Gonalez of Anaheim, Calif.; sister, Millicent George of Baker City; one grandson; aunt, Merle Dezler of Pendleton.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Frank in Pearl Harbor on the Arizona and one son, Fred B. Brown, Jr.

Graveside services will be held Friday, Nov. 12, 1993, at 11 a.m. at the Enterprise Cemetery.

A memorial is being established with the Lander County Animal Shelter, Battle Mountain, Nev. 89820.

Arrangements are under the direction of Albertson Funeral Home of Winnemucca, Nev.

The death of Mrs. J.L. Browning on Monday, January 26, 1920, cast a shadow of gloom over the entire city.

The deceased had been a resident of Enterprise for about fourteen years and during that time had endeared herself to all who knew her.

Mrs. Browning was born in Kentucky in the year of 1858, being 62 years, 7 months and 21 days old.

The deceased leaves a faithful husband and three sons and one daughter to mourn her death. One son, Herbert and the daughter, Mrs. Conoway, live in Enterprise. two grown sons live in California.

Since the deceased became seriously ill many physicians were consulted and a trip to California ws taken in the hope of benefitting her health but to no avail.

Funeral services were held Tuesday and a short talk by J.A. Burleigh told of the model life of the deceased. Interment was made in the Enterprise cemetery.

Marie Browning was born at Chester, Illinois on December 22nd, 1895 and died at Enterprise on August 23rd, 1919, aged 23 yrs., 8 mos. and one day.

Her death came as a distinct shock to the community as very few people knew of her illness, although it was known that her health had been ailing for about a year.

Marie had grown from childhood into lovely young womanhood here in Enterprise, to which place she had come with her parents, fourteen years ago, from Danville, Ill. With the exception of two years in school, one year in California and a few short stays in other places, at intervals. All her girlhood has been spent here in her home. She was a girl whose many sterling qualities, cheerful presence and lovable disposition have endeared her to a great number of loving friends.

Funeral services were held at the home on Monday at 2:30 p.m. and were conducted by rev. F.R. Sibley. Interment was in the Enterprise cemetery where the funeral service of the Order of Eastern Star was held, Marie having been a member of that order. An abundance of beautiful flowers attested to the love and esteem in which Marie was held by all who knew her.

Besides her parents, she leaves a sister, Mrs. A.B. Conoway, of Enterprise, and three brothers, Cecil E. and Sherley N. Browning of Chowchilla, Cal. And Herbert L. Browning of Enterprise.

The entire community unite with the stricken family to mourn her loss.

Mr. Bunnell

As we go to press we learn that the old gentleman Bunnell residing near Enterprise died last night at 6 o'clock. The cause of his death was principally old age.

O.F. Burnett and little son, Douglass, went to La Grande Thursday. Mr. Burnett was called by the death of his father, W.F. Burnett, a civil war veteran.

Aubrey G. Butterfield, retired stockman of Enterprise, who had been in ill health for several years, died in Portland August 1 at the age of 79.

As a young man Mr. Butterfield came from New York City to Weiser, Idaho, where he filed on a homestead. he founded the Butterfield Livestock company there and became widely known for his outstanding work in improving Rambouillet sheep, making a trip to England to purchase sheep from famous English bands.

In 1922 Mr. Butterfield came to Enterprise as manager of the Davis-Michellod company and later entered the sheep and cattle business for himself. His wife, the former Mary Galloway of Weiser, died in April 1946.

He is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Katharine B. Larson of Portland; a son, Alfred E. Butterfield, Joseph, and a daughter, Mrs. Duice B. Willison, Evanston, Ill., and by five grandchildren Ann L. and Tom R. Butterfield, and Scott, Dulce Ann and Timothy Willison.

Services were conducted Aug. 4 at the Portland Crematorium by the Rev. Franklin Evenson, son-in-law of Mr. and Mrs. Jay Dobbin.