Whatcom County Obituaries

Surnames Beginning with "O"

OAKES, James (d. 1921)

James Oakes, well known resident of East Mountain View, died at the family home Saturday, Oct. 1, at 7 a. m., at the age of 75 years and 11 months. He had been an invalid for a number of years and in March he suffered a stroke of paralysis from which he never recovered. Mr. Oakes was born on Prince Edward Island, Canada, Nov. 4, 1845. In 1871 he married Miss Sarah Granger Cox at Oscoda, Mich., and to them were born three sons, Abel, Earl and Frank, who died in infancy. In 1897 he removed to Whatcom county, where he has since resided. Besides the widow and two sons, he leaves a step-son, Fred, two brothers, John of Nova Scotia, and Henry, of Olalla, Wash., and a sister, Mrs. Phoebe Borden, of Prince Edward Island. Funeral services were conducted Oct. 2 at 2 p.m., from Monroe's chapel. Rev. G. B. Mehl, officiating. Interment was in Enterprise cemetery.
(From The Ferndale Record, October 7, 1921) Submitted by site coordinator.

OAKES, Perry A. (d. 1916)

Death claimed a good citizen of Lynden Saturday, when Perry Allen Oakes, former mayor of the city, passed away at his home. He had been sick for some time, and the cause of death is laid to ailments of the heart. P. A. Oakes was honored by election as Lynden's mayor two years ago, and served until 1916. He won many friends, and the funeral services Tuesday were generously attended. Many beautiful flora pieces were sent by organizations and individuals. The Rev. P. H. Davies returned from Orcas Island to conduct the services.
(From The Lynden Tribune, September 14, 1916) Submitted by site coordinator.

OAKES, Sarah (d. 1924)

Mrs. Sarah Oakes, widow of the late James Oakes, passed away at the family home one and one half miles west of Ferndale, November 8, 1924, after a very brief illness. Sarah Granger was born in New York state December 9, 1848. At an early age she removed to Ohio and later to Michigan, coming to Washington twenty-six years ago. She is survived by three sons, Fred, Abel and Earl, and three grandsons, at the family home, four nephews in this state, besides four sisters and numerous other relatives in the east. Funeral services were conducted Tuesday at 1:30 p. m. from Monroe's parlors, with Rev. H. L. Allen officiating. Interment was made in Evergreen cemetery.
(From The Ferndale Record, November 13, 1924) Submitted by site coordinator.

OATT, Jessie M. (d. 1934)

Mrs. Jessie Margaret Oatt, 58, 3119 Donovan avenue died Friday afternoon at her home after a lingering illness. Born in Canada, Mrs. Oatt came to Bellingham twenty years ago and has continued to made her home here. A member of the First Presbyterian church she leaves as survivors one daughter, Mrs. Nelson J. Warren, two sons, William B. and George J. Oatt, both of Marysville, California; four brothers, John A. McInnes city; Archibald McInnes, Alberta; Myron McInnes, Ontario and Wilmington T. McInnes of British Columbia, and three grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted from the Harlow-Hollingsworth funeral home at 1 o'clock Sunday afternoon with Rev. J. R. Macartney officiating. Cremation will follow.
(From The Bellingham Herald, February 17, 1934; WGS Collection)

OBERG, Carl L. (d. 1938)

Carl Ludvig Oberg, aged 75 years, 403 East Illinois Street, this city, passed away at a hospital in Seattle, Tuesday, September 13, after one month's illness. Mr. Oberg had resided in Bellingham for the past twenty-five years and was a member of the Lutheran Church and leaves to survive, two sons and four daughters, Louis L., of Lynden, and Edward Oberg, of Bellingham, Mrs. Edward D. Hofman, Lynden; Mrs. Oscar Asplund, Seattle; Mrs. Manda Ackerland and Mrs. Any Anderson, residing in Sweden; also two sisters in Sweden; twenty-two grandchildren and one great grandchild. The remains are resting at the Bingham-Dahlquist Funeral Home where funeral services will be held Saturday afternoon, September 17 at 2 o'clock with Rev. Harry G. Berglind, officiating. Interment will be made in the Lynden Cemetery. Mr. G. Roberts, Mr. H. Cook; Mr. E. Strand, Mr. H. Altsen, Mr. C. Lindquist and Mr. A. Lindquist will assist with the casket.
(From The Bellingham Herald, September 16, 1938)

OBERMULLER, Alma (d. 1917)

LYNDEN TEACHER PASSES AWAY FOLLOWING LONG ILLNESS Miss Alma Obermueller, teacher in the Lynden grade school, passed away Sunday at her home in Bellingham following an illness of several weeks. Funeral services were held Wednesday in Bellingham, and many Lynden friends attended. Many beautiful floral pieces were sent from Lynden, as Miss Obermueller had won the affection of her classes, and associates, and the esteem of the community. Miss Obermueller was 24 years old and was a graduate of the Bellingham Normal School. She is survived by her parents, and three brothers and one sister. Miss Obermueller was a member of Harmony Rebekah Lodge of Lynden.
(From The Lynden Tribune, April 26, 1917) Submitted by site coordinator.

O'BRIEN, Frank (d. 1905)

Frank O'Brien, an employee of the E. K. Wood mill, was seriously injured last night by a fall which fractured his skull and it was not thought, at a late hour last night that he would live until morning. O'Brien was working on the night shift at the mill, unloading lumber on the overhead tramway on the mill's docks, from which lumber is dumped on the wharf proper. The tramway is elevated about fifteen feet above the dock. While working at a car which he had just brought out, O'Brien misjudged the distance to the edge of the tramway, stepped backward and losing his balance fell to the dock below, landing on his head. The accident occurred at about 10:30. Croft's ambulance was at once summoned and the injured man was taken to St. Luke's hospital, where Dr. Birney was called to attend his injuries. The doctor stated that the case was serious, and that he was practically certain that the man had only a few hours to live. O'Brien has been in town a number of years, working in the mills and on the waterfront. So far as known he has no relatives here, and his former place of residence and family connections have never been ascertained. He lives by himself in a shack along the Great Northern tracks near the E. K. Wood mill.
(From The Bellingham Reveille, September 1, 1905) Submitted by site coordinator.

ODELL, George (d. 1895)

George Odell, the bright and popular young journalist who managed and edited the Lynden Pioneer Press for the past year or more, was drowned at Wiser lake shortly after noon yesterday. He was one of a party of thirteen - that fatal number - and they were camping on the shores of the lake. The young people composing the party had just finished eating dinner, when someone proposed a swim in the late; all acquiesced and all were soon splashing about in the water. Mr. Odell ventured a little farther out than the others. Suddenly he sank beneath the surface and was seen no more until his body was recovered twenty minutes afterward. Efforts were made to resuscitate him, but they were of no avail, although at times it appeared that life was not extinct. The body was taken to the home of his father at Lynden and the funeral services were held there at 3 o'clock this afternoon in the presence of an immense crowd of sorrowing friends and relatives. George Odell was but 24 years old, he was universally respected for his manliness and kind consideration for all, and none appreciated more fully the many beauties of his character and accomplishments than did his brethern of the Whatcom County Press association. He was always genial, whole-souled and generous. George Odell leaves a father residing at Lynden, two sisters, Misses Anna and Lillian, the former having taught school in this city for the past two years.
(From The Weekly Blade, August 21, 1895) Submitted by site coordinator.

See the account of his life published in The Daily Reveille.

ODELL, Ross C. (d. 1913)

AGED TIMBER WORKER IS FOUND DEAD IN HIS HOME Neighbors of Ross C. Odell, an aged timber worker, who lived alone in a little shack on the Geneva road two miles out from the city, were attracted to his place yesterday when they saw food, which they had left on the door-steps for him last Monday untouched, and started an investigation that led to them finding the old man's body in the shack. Indications point to his having died at least four or five days ago. Coroner Thompson was called an investigated the case, determining that death came from natural causes, as the man had been treated recently for dropsy and it is the belief that this malady became so aggravated that it caused heart trouble. Odell was about 70 years of age and worked at odd times in getting out shingle bolts. He had been sick and neighbors had been carrying food to him, leaving it at the door. The body was taken to the Wickman undertaking rooms and prepared for burial. It is believed the deceased man has a brother in the East.
(From The American Reveille, May 9, 1913) Submitted by site coordinator.

O'DONNELL, John (d. 1913)

John O'Donnell, a pioneer mill owner of this section, who lived in Bellingham for the past twenty-eight years and built one of the first shingle mills in Whatcom county, passed away at his home, 2200 J street, Saturday evening, following a short illness. The funeral occurred at 9 o'clock this morning from the Church of the Assumption. He is survived by a widow, three daughters, Mrs. Mary Dunn, of Lawrence; Mrs. Hanna Kline, of Deming and Miss Margaret and Miss Anna, of this city, and three sons, John, Dan and Patrick. The dead man was a member of the Eagles, Modern Woodmen, Knights of Columbus and Loyal Moose orders.
Another account mentions he was age 55 and interment will be made in Bay View Cemetery under the direction of Undertaker, Harry O. Bingham.
(From The Bellingham Herald, September 8, 1913) Submitted by Lindel

OERTLI, Henry (d. 1908)

OLD PIONEER OF CITY DIES At St. Luke's Hospital yesterday morning occurred the death of Henry Oertli, an old pioneer of this city, who came here eighteen years ago from Dakota. He was out walking last Sunday and for some unknown reason fell to the sidewalk. He was taken to his home on Central Avenue, where his condition was considered very serious, and was on Monday removed to the hospital, where he never regained consciousness. Mr. Oertli was 55 years old. His wife died last August. He leaves one daugher, Mrs. G. A. Ruswick and four sons, Henry, William, Elmer and Roy Oertli, all living in the city. The funeral will be held Saturday morning at 10 a. m. at Maulsby funeral parlors in the Irving Block, interment to take place in Bay View cemetery.
(From The Morning Reveille, May 29, 1908) Submitted by site coordinator.

OESER, Anna (d. 1926)

Oldest South Bellingham Resident Leaves a Host of Friends--Was Noted Pioneer. A neighborhood was in mourning Tuesday following the death of Mrs. Anna Oeser of 1705 25th Street, and old friends were recounting the many virtues of a departed companion. Mrs. Oeser was a wonderful woman,-a mother to the community,-generous to a fault,-she knew everyone in her neighborhood and everyone new her," was the general comment when the sad news of her passing was given out. Mrs. Oeser had been a resident of Bellingham and the towns that make up the present city for forty-nine years, the oldest resident in South Bellingham and numbered more friends than any of her district.

According to local history Mrs. Oeser came to what is now Bellingham in 1877 as the bride of Michael Padden who was the discoverer of Lake Padden. The young couple settled on a homestead,-the location of the present family residence. The story of that home is the story of the life of a pioneer. The life of the community then was more tightly bound in the homes of its settlers and as newcomers arrived in the wilderness that was to be a city, they all found a welcome in the hospitable door of that home. The garden that surrounded the home place was always full of green stuff that was freely shared with any who wanted. The highest tribute that can be paid to any member of a community was voiced yesterday when one of Mrs. Oeser's friends said: "She was a mother to us all."

Six children - three sons and three daughters - survive their mother and in addition there are six grandchildren, a brother and a sister. The daughters are Mrs. J. P. Munly of Spokane; Mrs. M. P. Flannery of Spokane, and Mrs. H. W. Gillespie of Bellingham, and the sons are John V. Padden, Henry Oeser and Francis Oeser. Funeral arrangements have not been completed, but it is probable that the services will be held on Thursday.

OLD SETTLER OF SOUTH SIDE WHO DIED THIS WEEK The Sacred Heart Catholic Church was filled to capacity yesterday morning when funeral services for Mrs. Anna Oeser, widely known old settler of South Bellingham were held. Requiem high mass was celebrated with Monsignor Hanly, of St. Mary's Church, Seattle, officiating assisted by two other priests. Father Hanly preached the funeral sermon. Pallbearers were Hugh Eldridge, John Kellogg, Charles Nolte, Victor Roeder, J. P. deMattos and Thomas R,. Earles and the music was directed by J. N. Hermsen and Ed. Ahern. Mrs. Oeser came to South Bellingham, then Fairhaven on October 31, 1877, and up to the time of her death was the oldest living settler of the south side. She arrived here on the J. B. Libby, an old sound vessel which called here once a week. The trip then required from twenty-four to forty-eight house, depending upon the tides. There were no roads in Fairhaven at that time and only a few homes, all of which were in Happy Valley. There Mrs. Oeser took up her residence and lived their continuously. Her father was Edward Connelly.
(From The Bellingham Herald) Submitted by Cathy Padden Atkinson

OESER Henry (d. 1916)

PIONEER OF CITY IS CALLED BY DEATH Henry Osier, for thirty-five years a resident of Whatcom county, died at an early hour today at his home, 1705 Twenty-fourth street, at the age of 70 years. He is survived by his widow, two sons, Francis and Harry, both of this city; two daughters, Mrs. M. P. Flannery, of Spokane, and Mrs. H. W. Gilliespie, of Skagway, Alaska, and by one stepdaughter, Mrs. J. B. Munley, of Spokane, and one stepson, John Padden, of the same city. Mrs. Osier's first husband was named Padden, from whom Lake Padden secured its name. The funeral will be held at the Sacred Heart church Saturday at 9:30 a. m. Interment will be made under the direction of H. O. Bingham.

Henry Oeser, age 70 years, passed away at the family home, 1705 Twenty-fourth street, at a late hour Wednesday, September 20, after an illness of several months. Mr. Oeser had been a resident of Bellingham and Whatcom county for more than forty years and leaves many friends to mourn his loss. At the time of his death Mr. Oeser was a member of the Church of the Sacred Heart, corner of Fourteenth street and Knox avenue, and is survived by Mrs. Oeser, three daughters and three sons: Mrs. J. B. Munley, Mrs. M. P. Flannery and John Padden, of Spokane, Wash.; Mrs. H. W. Gillespy, Skagway, Alaska; Harry and Francis Oeser, residing at the family home. Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 23, at 9:30 o'clock a. m., from the Church of the Sacred Heart. Interment will be made in Bay View cemetery, under the direction of Undertaker Harry O. Bingham, 1319 Dock street.
(From The Bellingham Herald, September 21, 1916) Submitted by Cathy Padden Atkinson

OESER, Francis L. (d. 1939)

OESER--Requiem mass will be celebrated for Francis L. (Pat) Oeser, aged 42 years, who passed away Wednesday, January 18, after a brief illness, will be held within the Church of the Sacred Heart, Friday, January 20 at 9 a.m. with Father S. J. Carmody officiating and interment will be made in the family plot in Bay View Cemetery under the direction of the Bingham-Dahlquist Funeral Home. Rosary will be said Thursday evening, January 19, at the church at 8 o'clock. Mr. Oeser had been a resident of Bellingham his entire life and was the proprietor of the Oeser Cedar Company and a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Albert J. Hamilton Post No. 7 of the American Legion. Aside from a host of friends who will mourn his passing he leaves to mourn him his widow, Mrs. Eleanor Oeser, two daughters, Miss Maud and Mildred Oeser, two brothers and three sisters. Harvie E., St. Maries, Idaho; J. V. Padden of Bellingham; Mrs. Anna Munly and Mrs. Maud O. Flannery, of Spokane; and Mrs. Mae K. Gillespie of this city. Active bearers will be Nick Jerns, Leslie Miller, John F. McGlinn, Frank McCaddon, James Owens, Ralph Young, Mat Mallahan, George Ambrose.
(From The Bellingham Herald, January 18, 1939) Submitted by Cathy Padden Atkinson

O'HARA, Elizabeth J. (d. 1959)

Mrs. Elizabeth O'Hara, 79, of Bellingham, Whatcom Co. died Monday in a local nursing home. She was born 1 June 1880, Harrison Co., MO, to Abner and Almeda (White) Johnson. Besides her husband Charles T., survivors are three sons; Kenneth W. O'Hara of Lynden, Whatcom Co., Ted O'Hara of Van Nuys, CA and Delbert O'Hara of Alaska; five daughters; Mrs. Evelyn Smith, Mrs. Ethel McNabb and Mrs. Ocie Bechtold of Bellingham, Mrs. Gladys Smith of Bremerton, WA and Mrs. Mildred Kaiser of Everett, WA; twelve grandchildren and seven great- grandchildren; two sisters Mrs. Ocie O'Hara, and Mrs. Byron Denny in California. Services will be held Friday at 3:30 p.m. in the Jones Funeral Home, cremation following.
(From The Bellingham Herald, July, 1959)Submitted by Gayle McCotter

O'HARA, Wilbur (d. 1998)

Wilbur O'Hara, a lifetime resident of Whatcom Co., passed away on Wed. Dec. 2, 1998, in Bellingham. He was born in Bellingham on July 10, 1923 to William and Dorothy (Johnson) O'Hara. Will was a recreational fisherman for 50 years, refining his craft to an art, and a commercial fisherman for 30 years in the Alaskan and Puget Sound waters. He drove a bus for the Bellingham School District for 23 years. When he retired in 1985, he was honored for exemplary safe-driving with a 20 yr. record of no accidents or violations. After his retirement he continued to enjoy fishing, roller-skating, walking through our beautiful hills and spending a part of each day at the Bellingham Library. Survivors include his wife Luzbella, daughter Cindy and husband Pieter Grove of Henderson, NV, son Lonnie O'Hara of Bellingham, grandson Tristan Grove, nephew & niece David Emily and Sally Howell and many other family and friends. Memorials may be made to Boys & Girls Club, Bellingham. A graveside service will be at 11:00 am, Monday, Dec. 7, 1998 at Bayview Cemetery with the Rev. Steve Van Vleck officiating. Arrangements by Jones Moles Funeral Home & Cremation Service.
(Note: this is a condensed version of the actual obit as it is lengthly--for additional info contact submitter.)
Submitted by Gayle McCotter

O'HARA, William (d. 1939)

Funeral services for William O'Hara, aged 57 years, beloved husband of Mrs. Dorothy O'Hara, were held Monday, November 20, 2 p. m. at the Bingham-Dahlquist Funeral Home, with Rev. Earl Soiland, officiating. The remains will be taken to Spokane where interment will be made in the family plot. Mr. O'Hara passed away at a local hospital very suddenly Thursday afternoon, November 16. He had resided in Bellingham for the past twenty years and was a fisherman by trade. Surviving relatives aside from his wife, are Miss Beulah O'Hara, a daughter at home, one son, Wilbur O'Hara and his mother, Mrs. Sarah O'Hara, both residing at the home; three brothers Charles, of Bellingham; Weaver, of Spokane, and E. A. O'Hara, of Reardon; also numerous nieces and nephews.
(From The Bellingham Herald November 20, 1939) Submitted by Gayle McCotter

OHLSON, J. P. (d. 1890)

OHLSON, Olaf (d. 1888)

OHSE, Henry L. (d. 1939)

Henry L. Ohse, aged 70 years, a resident of Custer, passed away at a local hospital, Friday, May 5. He leaves to survive six daughters, Mrs. Mary Johnston, Mrs. Etta Pearson, Mrs. Minnie Burke, of Bellingham; Mrs. Pauline Cramer, of Cripple Creek, Colo.; Mrs. Elizabeth Chapman, of Dusenberg, Ida.; Mrs. Annie Beeman, of Ferndale; two sons, Fred, of Custer, and August, of Bellingham. Funeral services will be conducted at the Monroe Chapel in Ferndale, Monday afternoon, May 8, at 2:30 with Rev. Francis Ohse officiating. Burial will follow in the Woodlawn Cemetery.
(From The Bellingham Herald, May 6, 1939) Submitted by site coordinator.

OLDS, Charles D. (d. 1930)

Charles Dudley Olds, aged 75 years, beloved husband of Mrs. Elizabeth Olds, 2516 Dean avenue, this city, passed away at a local hospital at an early hour last evening, August 18, after several months' illness. Mr. Olds had been a resident of Bellingham for the past seventeen years and prior to his ill health had been employed as a carpenter, and was a former member of the Modern Woodmen lodge in this city. Other relatives are three sons, A. E. Olds and C. D. Olds, Bellingham, and Dr. C. R. Olds, Seattle; one daughter, Mrs. Gilbert Tuben, Seattle; three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. The body is resting at the Homer Mark Mortuary, Cornwall avenue at Hallock street, where funeral services will be held in the cathedral chapel Wednesday, August 20, at 2:30 o'clock. W. J. Rule, former pastor of the Eureka Methodist church officiating. Interment will be made in the family plot in Bay View cemetery.
(From The Bellingham Herald, August 19, 1930)

OLESON, O. F. (d. 1938)

O. F. Oleson, 76, an early settler in the Sumas district, died last Friday in a sanitarium in Glendale, Calif., according to word received here by local relatives. Mr. Oleson was born in Denmark on March 13, 1862 and came to the United States when a young man. He came to Sumas with his wife in 1896 and homesteaded in Columbia Valley in 1899, where he lived until the fall of 1937 when he and Mrs. Oleson moved to California. They would have celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on December 3 of this year. Besides his widow, he is survived by two sons, Frank of Sumas and Elmer of Los Angeles and three grandchildren, Bertha Jean and Jimmie of Sumas and Betty of Washington, D. C.
(From The Deming Prospector, November 18, 1938) Submitted by site coordinator.

OLMSTEAD, M. H. (d. 1903)

OLSON, A. J. S. (d. 1930)

On the fourth of this month Mr. A. J. S. Olson, residing on a farm about three miles north of Sumas, was taken suddenly ill while working on his threshing machine and died before a physician could get to his home. Mr. Olson, Scandinavian by birth, was highly respected, not only in his own community, but wherever he was known. Quiet, conservative, industrious, he not only worked for himself and family but was foremost in nearly all community enterprises, consequently made many friends. For about nine years Mr. Olson was a director of the Farmers' Mutual Telephone Co., and gave entire satisfaction to his constituency, altho at times, he was not always in accord with Mr. Jackman's policy. He fought for a "square deal" for his community. Every year he had been re-elected. This, of itself, was a strong indication that the people of Sumas district were perfectly satisfied with his conduct of their business. Mr. Olson was buried in Sumas on Sunday, the 5th inst.
(From The Deming Prospector, September 19, 1930) Submitted by site coordinator.

OLSON, Catherine H. (d. 1935)

OLSON, Helgi (d. 1915)

RANCHER ENDS LIFE WITH GUN

Helgi Olson, a well known rancher on the Birch Bay road, committed suicide about five o'clock Monday morning between the house and barn on his place. The man shot himself in the mouth with a single barrel shot gun while seated, blowing the back of his head off. Constable Kingsley was notified of the suicide and went out to make some investigation. No reason for the act could be found, so he notified Prosecutor Brown, who came up with the sheriff. They decided that it was a plain case of suicide, but were unable to learn the reason for the rash act. The deceased was quite well known in Blaine, as he had lived in this section several years. He was a quiet man with very little to say at any time, but of late the family states that he has been restless and apparently something preying on his mind. He arose early Monday morning and shot himself while the family was still in bed. He was about 54 years of age and leaves three children, all of whom are grown up, in addition to a wife.
(From The Blaine Journal, October 1, 1915) Submitted by Karen Swanson-Woolf

OLSON, Olga M. (d. 1941)

OLSON, Martin A. (d. 1936)

Martin A. Olson, aged 68 years, beloved husband of Mrs. Adalla Olson and father of Mrs. Adella Kastner, Miss Lois Olson, city, and Miss Joyce Olson, Long Beach, Calif., passed away at the family home, 1029 Gladstone Street, Thursday, August 27, after a lingering illness. Mr. Olson had resided in Bellingham for the past thirty-seven years and was a member of the American Central Lutheran Church. Other surviving relatives include two brothers, Mr. Christian O. Olson and Mr. George T. Olson, city; one niece, Mrs. Vernie B. Olson, city and one grandchild. Image
(From The Bellingham Herald, August 28, 1936)

OLSON, Olive (d. 1912)

Mrs. Olive Olson, aged 52 years, passed away at St. Luke's hospital Sunday afternoon after an extended illness. Mrs. Olson has resided in this city for more than twelve years, her home being at 209 Laurel street until the death of her husband Edward Olson, who passed away in this city May 30 of this year, since which time she has been residing with her daughter, Mrs. Margaret Laviolette, at 1219 Forest street, this city. Aside from her daughter, Mrs. Olson is survived by three brothers, Hugh Detwiler, of this city; John and Frank Detwiler, of Lynden, Wash., and two sisters, Mrs. Ann Swan, a resident of the State of Iowa, and Mrs. Mary Cashman, of Minong, Wis., also two grandchildren of this city. The body of Mrs. Olson lies at the new quarters of Mock & Hill, 1051-1055 Elk street. Funeral arrangements will be announced later.
From The Bellingham Herald, June 17, 1912) Submitted by site coordinator.

OLSON, Oscar H. (d. 1925)

Former Maple Falls Man Dies in Seattle A dispatch from Seattle under date of May 5th, says: Oscar H. Olson, 60 years old, a veteran railway telegrapher, who for the last few years has been station agent for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railway at Lynden, died early Sunday morning at Providence hospital following a short illness. For more than forty years Mr. Olson had been engaged in railroad work as a telegrapher. He is survived by a widow, Mrs. Etta Olson, and a daughter, Mrs. E. H. Ryder, of Kelso. The body will be sent by the Georgetown Undertaking company to Calmar, Iowa, for burial. Mr. Olson was formerly in charge of the Maple Falls station of the C. M. & St. P. railway, and his daughter, Miss Thelma Olson, now Mrs. Ryder, of Kelso, taught a successful term in the primary grades of the Maple Falls school and the many friends of the family will learn with sorrow of the untimely passing of the loving husband and father.
(From The Deming Prospector, May 8, 1925) Submitted by site coordinator.

OMLI, George T. (d. 1921)

Mountain View, Feb. 4. - G. T. Omli passed away at the family home here on the afternoon of January 31, at the age of 75 years and the funeral was held yesterday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Mountain View church under the direction of George Monroe, undertaker of Ferndale. Mr. Omli is survived by his widow and four sons and six daughters - Albert, Oscar, Carl and Robert, who live at the family home; Mrs. George Peterson, of Pleasant Valley; Mrs. Charles Bockover, of Goldendale; Mrs. John D. McAulay, of South Bellingham and Misses Emma, Anna and Ella, of Mountain View.
(From The Bellingham Herald, February 4, 1921) Submitted by site coordinator.

OMLI, Thomas (d. 1913)

Thomas Omli, son of George T. and Julia Omli, was born October 6, 1884, at Blair, Wis., and died Tuesday, November 25, 1913, at Mountain View. The death from drowning is a great shock to the family and friends. Thomas had promised J. W. Thompson, who lives in California but has a camp near Lake Turrell to take in his sink-tub. The young man went out from the shore about eighty rods in Mr. Thompson son's steel rowboat and got the sinktub into the boat and was headed for shore but got only about a quarter of the way back when his boat went under. Not being able to swim so far he was drowned. Two young men on the shore saw the accident and notified the family. The body was recovered about five hours afterwards. The funeral was held Thursday morning at 10 o'clock from the Mennonite Church at Mountain View, the pastor of that church officiating.

Those who knew Thomas Omli speak of him very highly saying that he was a young man of excellent qualities and thought well of by all. Besides the bereaved parents there are six sisters and four brothers left to mourn the loss of a loved one. They are Mrs. Geo. Peterson, of Bellingham, and Rachael, Clara, Emma, Anna and Ella Omli at home, and Albert, Oscar, Carl and Robert Omli also at home. The grief stricken family have the sympathy of the entire community.
(From The Ferndale Record, November 28, 1913) Submitted by site coordinator.

O'NEIL, Grace (d. 1904)

Died, at her home, in this city, Monday, Sept. 19, after an illness of four days, Mrs. Grace M. O'Neil, wife of Capt. James O'Neil. Mrs. O'Neil was born in Patna, Ayrshire, Scotland, on Feb. 19, 1837. Her family removed from Scotland in 1842, and settled in Columbia County, Wis., where she lived until coming to this state. On account of an invalid father and younger members of the family who were dependent to a considerable extent on her efforts, she commenced teaching school when quite young, and taught continually until twenty-seven years of age. On the 2nd day of April, 1864, she was united in marriage with James O'Neil, then a captain in the Union army.

With her husband and son she came to Washington in the fall of 1873, and after a few months' stay in Olympia, came to Lynden where they settled on a homestead which has been their home for the past thirty years. She bravely met the trials and privations common to the life of an early pioneer. Her ready sympathy and unfailing kindness found expression in many ways that are still remembered by the old settlers. Hers was an unselfish life, caring not for self, but for those around her. She was deeply religious, having been converted in early childhood and continuing steadfast in her faith during her entire life, died in perfect assurance of the consummation of her hopes. She leaves a husband, son, daughter, two sisters, two brothers, and many other relatives to mourn her loss. The funeral was held from the Mission church yesterday afternoon, the services being conducted by Elder Ward of Sedro-Woolley.
(From The Pacific Pilot, September 22, 1904) Submitted by site coordinator.

O'NEIL, James (d. 1908)

Last Saturday afternoon the bugle call was sounded for another of the brave Boys in Blue, who fought four long years under "Old Glory" to keep our nation, one and inseparable. Captain James O'Neil of Company H., 11th Wis. Volunteers, was quietly ushered into the presence of his Great Commander on Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock. He had been ailing for about four weeks, yet death came as a surprise to the family, although the old gentleman felt from the time he was taken sick that his days were numbered. Captain O'Neil was a pioneer of Lynden, and was well and favorably known by many people all over Whatcom Co. The funeral took place at the M. E. Church, Monday afternoon and was very largely attended. Rev. White of the Adventist Church of Seattle, delivered a very touching funeral sermon over the silent remains in which he paid many beautiful tributes to the departed soldier.
(From The Lynden Tribune, October 22, 1908) Submitted by site coordinator.

ONEROAD, Vivian (d. 1994)

A candlelight processional rosary for Vivian Amelia Johnson Oneroad will be at 7 p.m. today at St. Joachim Catholic Church on the Lummi Indian Reservation. Mrs. Oneroad, a member of Lummi Nation, died Friday, Aug. 19, 1994, in Portland, Ore. She was 62. A Mass was celebrated Aug. 24, at Queen of Peach Church in Portland and burial was in Willamette National Cemetery in Portland. Born July 20, 1932, to Victor and Amelia Johnson on the Lummi Reservation, she graduated from Ferndale High School in 1948. She received an accounting degree from Haskell Institute in Lawrence, Kan., and worked for the Portland Area Bureau of Indian Affairs, retiring as a budget analyst. She was preceded in death by her husband, Cornelius "Corky" Oneroad. Survivors include daughters Mariann Smith of Warm Springs, Ore., and Marie Miles of Portland; brother Verne Johnson Sr. of the Lummi Reservation; four grandsons; and numerous other relatives. Memorials may be made to Haskell Indian Junior College Scholarship Fund, c/o Marie Miles, 8916 North Peninsular, Portland, OR 97217; or St. Joachim Catholic Church, 4195 Lummi Shore Road, Bellingham, WA 98226.
(From the Bellingham Herald of September 24, 1994) Submitted by Merrily Lawson.

ONSTINE, Henry M. (d. 1921)

H. Michael Onstine, aged 83 years, a pioneer resident of this city of twenty-five years, passed away at his home, 2216 Victor street, on the evening of Wednesday, October 5, after an illness of several months. Besides a large number of friends. Mr. Onstine is survived by one son and one daughter, Mrs. R. H. Canfield, Bellingham, and Allen B. Onstine, of Ferndale; two sisters, Mrs. Sarah Kellogg, Decorah, Ia., and Mrs. S. S. Willford, of Bellingham. There are also seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren surviving. The remains are being cared for at the service parlors of Harry O. Bingham, 120-122 Prospect street, where funeral services will be held Friday, October 7, at 2 o'clock p. m., with Rev. William R. Marshall, pastor of the First Congregational church, officiating. Interment will be made in the family plot in Bay View cemetery.
He built the Onstine block at the corner of Champion street and Grand avenue.
(From The Bellingham Herald, October 6, 1921) Submitted by site coordinator.

OOSTERBAAN, Benjamin (d. 1903)

Benj. Oosterbaan died Sunday morning at 11:00 o'clock, at the residence of W. A. Severance, from injuries received while working in the woods near here cutting shingle bolts. The accident occurred Monday morning, March 23rd, and the deceased had been gradually failing since then. All that the medical profession could do was done, but with no avail. Mr. Oosterbaan came here from Michigan in the spring of last year and had no relatives on the coast. He was the oldest of nine children, being 23 years of age. Mr. and Mrs. John Oosterbaan, his parents, still reside in Michigan. The funeral was held from the Christian Reformed church, Monday afternoon, May 4th, the services being conducted by the Revs. Bos and Kern. Interment was made in Monumental a sad one and the people here have shown their sympathy in a very substantial and brotherly fashion.
(From The Pacific Pilot, May 7, 1903) Submitted by site coordinator.

ORCHARD, John (d. 1931)

VETERAN SUMMONED John Orchard, forty-five years a Bellingham resident and at his death officer of the day of J. B. Steedman post No. 24, G. A. R., died early today at the home of his daughter, Mrs. W. H. Carpenter, 717 E. North street, aged 86 years. He had been ill two weeks. Mr. Orchard, who was a member of the First Baptist church, is survived by four daughters, Mrs. Carpenter; Mrs. Ella Foster, Bellingham; Mrs. W. J. McDonnell, Vancouver, B. C., and Mrs. George Ortwein, Maple Falls; fourteen grandchildren and twenty-one great-grandchildren. Funeral announcements will be made by the Bingham-Dahlquist funeral home. At one time and for many years Mr. Orchard conducted a small store on State street.
(From The Bellingham Herald, December 19, 1931) Submitted by site coordinator.

ORVIS, Austin (d. 1912)

Austin Orvis died Saturday at his home about a mile this side of Wiser Lake, and was buried Monday afternoon, interment taking place in the Lynden cemetery. Mr. Orvis had attained the age of 91 years, and had resided here for more than 27 years, during which time he gained the respect and esteem of many of his neighbors and fellow citizens, and enjoyed the close friendship of those who knew him best. His death came suddenly, as he wished, and peacefully and painlessly closed the record book of the earth life of a sterling pioneer of the west. Mr. Orvis, while sitting quietly at his home, and in the act of lighting his pipe, without warning, suddenly fell to the floor and the life gently left the aged body.

The deceased was one of the "forty-niners", who came to the west to seek their fortunes. He crossed the plains with an ox team, settling first in California. During the civil war he was engaged as a clerk in the quartermaster's department, and while not a member of the G. A. R., many old soldiers attended his funeral and paid their last tribute of respect to a faithful friend. The funeral services were conducted by the Masonic lodge of which the deceased was an honored member, Worshipful Master G. A. Palmer officiating. Many old friends gathered to pay their respect to the memory of one who for more than twenty-seven years was an esteemed resident of the community. Besides his widow, the deceased leaves a daughter, Mrs. Hiram Fuller, and two grandchildren, O. L. Button, and Mrs. Fay D. Searles.
(From The Lynden Tribune, August 1, 1912) Submitted by site coordinator.

ORVIS, Marietta (d. 1915)

Funeral services for Mrs. Marietta Orvis, who died Sept. 29, were held Sunday from the family residence. The Rev. Paul Ashby officiated. Mrs. Orvis is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Fuller. The many friends of Mr. and Mrs. Orvis from pioneer days at which time they ran a ferry across the Nooksack attended the funeral. Mrs. Orvis during her long stay in Lynden, made a wide circle of friends, who join with the family in mourning her loss.
(From The Lynden Tribune, October 7, 1915) Submitted by site coordinator.

OSBORN, Dolly L. (d. 1929)

Mrs. Dolly Louise Osborn, aged 21 years, beloved wife of William Oliver Osborn, passed away at the family home, 1427 Toledo street, early Tuesday morning, July 23, after several weeks' illness. Mrs. Osborn has lived in Bellingham all her life and besides her husband, is survived by her father, Emile Hagon, one sister, Pearl Hagon, and one brother, Emile A. Hagon, all of Bellingham. The body rests at the Harlow Mortuary Home, Holly at Forest, and funeral services will be held Thursday, July 25, at 3 o'clock, with Rev. T. Goodwin, officiating, and interment will be made in Bay View cemetery.
(From The Bellingham Herald, July 23, 1929) Submitted by site coordinator.

OSBORN, Ella A. (d. 1941)

Funeral services for Ella A. Osborn, of 2639 Xenia street, this city, who passed away at a local hospital Sunday morning, June 1, will be held Thursday afternoon, June 5, at 1:30 o'clock from the Bingham-Dahlquist Funeral Home with Rev. E. G. Copley, pastor of Calvary Pentecostal church, officiating. Interment will be made in Greenacres Memorial Park. Mrs Osborn had resided in Bellingham for the past fifty years, and leaves to survive, four sons and three daughters, Elmer, of Pelican, Alaska, Earl, of Anchorage, Alaska, Edward and Henry E. Osborn, of Bellingham, Mrs. Lennie M. Osborn, Mrs. Helen A. Myrick and Mrs. Althea F. Stalberg, all of Bellingham; two sisters, and one brother, Mrs. May Fischer and Mr. Oscar Carpenter, of Panora, Iowa, and Mrs. William Dupuy, of Menlow, Iowa; also six grandchildren.
(From The Bellingham Herald, June 3, 1941) Submitted by site coordinator.

OSBORNE, Garret H. (d. 1936)

Garret H. Osborne, aged 40 years, passed away Thursday, May 28, following a short illness. Mr. Osborne whose home was at 1427 Toledo Street, was a millworker and has resided here his entire lifetime. He was a World War veteran and a former member of American Legion. Surviving relatives are his widow, Ethel, and three children; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James O. Osborne, and one brother, C. H. Osborne, all of this city. Remains are resting at the Funeral Home of Harlow-Hollingsworth, where funeral arrangements are being made, to be announced later.
[Name should have been spelled OSBORN]
(From The Bellingham Herald, May 29, 1936; WGS Collection)

OSBORNE, William E. (d. 1937)

William E. Osborne, aged 71 years, 1507 Lincoln Street, this city, passed away at a local hospital at an early hour this morning, Saturday, December 18 after a lingering illness. Mr. Osborne had resided in Bellingham for the past thirty-five years and aside from many friends who will mourn his passing, he leaves to survive three sisters and two brothers, Mrs. Clara Blood, city; Mrs. Marguerite Washburn and Mrs. Alice Crain, residing in Tennessee; Mr. Homer Osborne, residing in Tennessee, and Mr. James Oliver Osborne, this city. The remains are resting at the Bingham-Dahlquist Funeral Home. Funeral announcements will be made later.
[Name should have been spelled OSBORN]
(From The Bellingham Herald, December 18, 1937; WGS Collection)

OSER, Alice (d. 1908)

Mrs. Alice Oser, wife of Fred Oser, died at 2 o'clock yesterday morning at the family residence, 1415 D Street. Mr. and Mrs. Oser, are identified with the early history of Whatcom and Bellingham, having lived here continually since May, 1883. Services will be held at the Catholic church Saturday morning at 9 o'clock by the Rev. Father Ferland and the interment will take place in Bay View cemetery. The funeral will be in charge of the Maulsby undertaking parlors.
(From The American Reveille, September 12, 1908) Submitted by site coordinator.

OSGOOD, Clarence B. (d. 2001)

Visitation for Clarence Boehringer Osgood of Lynden will be from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday at Greenacres Funeral Home near Ferndale. A funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Monday in the funeral home chapel, with Doug Peake officiating. Burial will follow in Greenacres Memorial Park near Ferndale. Mr. Osgood died Wednesday, April 4, 2001, in Lynden. He was 84.

Born Sept. 12, 1916, to Charles and Bertha (Boehringer) Osgood in Lawrence, he lived in Whatcom County most of his life and graduated from Lynden High School. On May 8, 1943, he married Lola Ellis in Lynden. Mr. Osgood operated a dairy farm for many years and later raised Black Angus beef cows. He also worked for Mount Baker Plywood Mill before retiring in 1971. Mr. Osgood was a 50-year continuous member of Ten Mile Grange and attended Nooksack Valley Baptist Church. His brother Art Osgood died in 1981. Survivors include his wife, of the family home; sons Bill Osgood of Lynden and Ed Osgood of Everett; daughter Nancy Peake of Nogales, Ariz.; sister Bernice Hansey of Freeport, Ill.; four grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and many nieces, nephews and other relatives.
(From The Bellingham Herald, April 6, 2001) Submitted by Debbie deHoog.

OSGOOD, Maude (d. 1904)

Miss Maude Osgood, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Osgood, died Friday morning of consumption. She was but eighteen years of age and had been ill for more than a year. She spent part of the winter in Colorado hoping that the change would benefit here, but she returned about six weeks ago, not much improved. The funeral was held Sunday afternoon. Besides her parents she leaves two brothers and one sister.
(From The Pacific Pilot, April 28, 1904) Submitted by site coordinator.
Another obit

OSIER, Adolphe (d. 1921)

Adolphe Osier, a resident of the State of Washington for the past sixteen years, living on a small ranch near Deming, dropped dead in a field while at his work on Friday morning. Death came entirely unexpected as he had always enjoyed good health. Neighbors living near the field in which he was working saw him fall and immediately rushed to his side.

Mr. Osier was born in Hancock county, Ill., sixty-seven years ago. The early part of his life was spent in Iowa and Western Nebraska, where he engaged in farming. In Nebraska, particularly, he was prominent in the development of Holt county, the section in which he lived. With his family, sixteen years ago, he came to Bellingham, living for a number of years on Xenia street, in Eureka addition. About ten years ago he exchanged his city property for a ranch two miles east of Deming, where he lived until his death.

The immediate family surviving are: a wife, Mrs. Kate Osier, and five children, Charles A., John W., Jennie, Claude and Howard G. Osier. The three former named children and the latter, Howard, live at Deming. Claude lives in Seattle. Funeral arrangements are in the hands of H. O. Bingham, funeral director. Services will be held tomorrow at 2 p. m., interment being made at Bay View cemetery.
(From The Bellingham Herald, April 16, 1921) Submitted by site coordinator.

OSIER, Kate (d. 1927)

Mrs. Kate Osier, aged 69 years, a pioneer of Deming for 20 years, died on Thursday night at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Jennie Kilpatrick, 2828 Summer Avenue, Bellingham, after a short illness. The survivors of Mrs. Osier, besides her daughter are four sons, Charles of Bellingham; Claude A. of Seattle; Howard and John of Deming; a sister, Mrs. Mike Miller of Bellingham; four brothers, John W. and C. A. Hull of Bellingham; Geo. Hull of Montana and William Hull of Michigan; and nine grandchildren. The remains are at the Harlow Mortuary Home, Bellingham. Funeral services will be held on Sunday morning at 11 o'clock, Rev. Wallace Gill of the Christian and Missionary Alliance officiating. Inter will be made in Bay View cemetery.
(From The Deming Prospector, January 14, 1927) Submitted by site coordinator.

OSIER, Pearl (d. 1923)

Mrs. Pearl Osier, aged 36 years, passed away at a local hospital early Sunday morning, December 23, after a brief illness. Mrs. Osier had made her home at Deming for the past twelve years and is survived by her husband, Charles A. Osier; two daughters, Avis and Dorothy, and two sons, Clarence and Gerald, and her father, Mr. Grime, all at Deming. The body is being cared for at the Harlow mortuary home, Holly and Forest streets, where funeral services will be held Wednesday afternoon, December 26, with the Rev. Ford of Deming officiating, after which interment will be made in the family plot in Bay View cemetery.
(From The Bellingham Herald, December 24, 1923) Submitted by site coordinator.

OSTROM, Jakob (d. 1938)

OTLY, James L. (d. 1921)

JAMES L. OTLY, EX-COUNCIL AND G.A.R. MEMBER, DEAD Stricken with heart trouble as he was about to board a steamer for Bellingham, James L. Otly, formerly of Ferndale, died suddenly at the Coleman dock, Seattle, Saturday night. Mr. Otly was returning to his home in Bellingham after five weeks spent at the Old Soldiers' home at Retsil. The deceased was 72 years of age and fought in the Civil War, being a member of the G. A. R. He first came to this section in the spring of 1905, settling on a farm near Custer, where he resided nine years. He then moved to Ferndale where he made his home until two years ago. Since that time he has lived in the county seat city. His widow, Mrs. Cynthia Otly, one son, Arthur Otly, of Kansas City, Mo. and four daughters are the immediate surviving relatives. The daughters are: Mrs. G. R. Johnstone, of Seattle; Mrs. Herbert Miller, of Bellingham, and Mrs. Delmar Newkirk, of Ferndale. Nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren also survive. Mr. Otly was a member of the local town council a few years ago. He belonged to the Yeomen and the Masons and the latter organization had charge of services at the grave. Funeral services were conducted from George A. Monroe's chapel on Thursday afternoon, with Rev. W. E. Powell in charge. Interment was made in Enterprise cemetery.
(From The Ferndale Record, October 28, 1921) Submitted by site coordinator.

James L. Otley, Civil war veteran, aged 72 years, member of J. B. Steedman post, G. A. R.; American Yeoman lodge No. 195; Mason, belonging in Fargo, N. D. He leaves a widow, Mrs. Cynthia Otley, 2213 Iron street; four daughters and one son, Mrs. G. R. Johnstone, Seattle; Mrs. Delman Newkirk and Mrs. W. L. Landon, Ferndale; Mrs. Herbert Miller, Bellingham and Arthur Otley, Kansas City, Mo.; nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren Funeral services will be held at the Monroe undertaking parlors at Ferndale, October 27, at 2 o'clock, Rev. Powell officiating.
aka James L. Otly
(From The Bellingham Herald, October 26, 1921) Submitted by site coordinator.

OTTESTAD, Andrew O. (d. 1937)

OTTESTAD, Nellie (d. 1929)

OTTO, Mary (d. 1920)

Mrs. Mary Otto, who made Blaine her home for a period of 20 years, passed away Wednesday of last week after a long illness. Funeral services were held in St. Ann's Catholic Church here Friday morning last, Father Schmidt, of Ferndale officiating. Deceased was born in Vienna, Austria, March 3, 1850. At the age of 29 years she came to America and in 1879 was married to Julius Otto, in Milwaukee, Wisc., who preceded her in death in 1915. They came to Blaine 20 years ago, and deceased make her home here ever since. Three daughters and two sons survive. They are as follows: Mrs. Frank Odell and Mrs. Harry Kemp, of Blaine, Mrs. Harry Fletcher of Seattle, Wm. Otto, of Everett, and Joe and Fred Otto, of Ketchikan, Alaska.
(From The Blaine Journal July 30, 1920) Submitted by site coordinator.

OUSDALE, Anton (d. 1931)

The funeral of Anton Ousdale, who was killed in an automobile accident on Thursday evening of last week on the Mt. Baker highway near Allen's corner, when the auto driven by his brother skidded and struck a light pole, was held in Bellingham on Monday, Rev. Chris M. Wiser of the Ebenezer Lutheran church officiating, and interment was made in the Saxon cemetery. Mr. Ousdale was born in Norway and had resided in this county for the past three years. Aside from a host of friends to survive him are his mother and father two brothers and two sisters, all of Norway, and three brothers, Gilbert, Ola and Sigurd Ousdale, of Bellingham.
(From The Deming Prospector, December 18, 1931) Submitted by site coordinator.

OWEN, Elizabeth J. (d. 1923)

Mrs. Elizabeth Jane Owen, mother of Orville Owen of this city, passed away at 6:30 o'clock Monday morning at the home of her son here at the age of 85 years. She had been in feeble health for some months and during the past week gradually grew weaker until the end. Funeral services were held in the undertaking parlors yesterday afternoon at 1:30, Rev. H. Orville Jones officiating. The remains were taken to York, Nebraska, on the evening train for burial in the family plot there, beside the husband and one son.

Elizabeth Jane Eckles was born in Pennsylvania April 15, 1838. On Jan. 22. 1858, she was married to Wm. M. Owen. To this union six children were born, of whom but two survive, Wm. M. of Lushton, Neb., and Orville of this city. Deceased came to Nebraska from Illinois in 1883 and lived in or near York in that state until four years ago, when she came to Blaine to make her home. Her husband passed away Sept. 1, 1902. There are six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren who survive her. Mrs. Owen lived a life of unselfishness and devotion, not alone to her own family, but to all about her. In the days when she was active she was the first called in case of sickness, even in advance of a physician, and she always answered.
(From The Blaine Journal, February 15, 1923) Submitted by site coordinator.

OWEN, Emmett W. (d. 1909)

Emmett W. Owen, a pioneer of Whatcom county, a formerly a well known figure in political circles, died at 1 o'clock this morning at his home two miles east of Deming at the age of 71 years. He was ill only a few days. He is survived by his widow, one daughter, Mrs. C. A. Moody, of this city, but who is now visiting in Iowa, and three sons, Benjamin S. Owen, postmaster of Deming; Jessie G., also of Deming, and Bert E., of Tacoma. Mr. Owen came to Whatcom county twenty years ago from Chickasaw county, Iowa, where he had resided for twenty years prior to that time. The remains are at the undertaking parlors of H. O. Bingham, at 1319 Dock street, and interment will be in Bay View cemetery. The funeral announcements will be made later.

EMMETT W. OWEN WILL BE BURIED TOMORROW Emmett William Owen, a pioneer of Deming, who passed away last Friday, being afflicted with acute indigestion, will be buried at Bay View cemetery tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock with Rev. B. K. McElmon officiating. For the past year the deceased has been unable to attend to his regular duties, and slowly declined until the end. Mr. Owen has resided at Deming for twenty years, having formerly lived in Chickasaw county, Iowa. He established the first postoffice in Deming in 1891, and since that time has taken an active part in politics, having been elected as a committeeman of the republican party from that district on several occasions. He has always been connected with public life and was very well known in this part of the state. Mr. Owen leaves a wife, a sister, Mrs. C. A. Moody, of Bellingham; three sons, Bert E. Owen, of Tacoma; Ben S. Owen, of Deming, and J. G. Owen, of Deming. Mrs. Moody arrived in the city this morning from Iowa, where she has been visiting friends. Mr. Owen resided on a large ranch about two miles east of Deming, and has for the greater part of his life been interested in stock raising. While in Iowa he was a very prominent farmer and was in possession of a large farm in that state. Rev. B. K. McElmon has retired from the pulpit but as he has known Mr. Owen for several years he was requested to conduct the ritualistic services and accepted. The body now lies at the undertaking parlors of H. O. Bingham, on Dock street.
(From The Bellingham Herald, July 2 & 6, 1909) Submitted by site coordinator.

OWEN, James E. (d. 1941)

James E. Owen, aged 47 years, passed away Thursday, January 23. Mr. Owen was born here and had resided here his entire lifetime, his home being at 2749 Broadway. Deceased was treasurer of the Bellingham Tug and Barge Company for the past four years, previous to which he was assistant cashier of the Northwestern National Bank for many years. Surviving relatives are his widow, Gertrude at home, his mother at Los Angeles, two brothers, Charles at Los Angeles and William C., Huntington Park, Calif.; one sister, Margaret Hollembeak, Huntington Park; one aunt Clara Bigelow, of this city; two step children, Barbara and Ernest Wanzer at home. Private services were conducted from the funeral home of Harlow-Hollingsworth, Saturday, January 25, at 3:30 p. m. conducted by the Rev. James M. Wilson. Cremation.

OWEN, Lemuel (d. 1912)

Lemuel Owen, aged 61 years, passed away Thursday, February 1, at the family residence, 2100 A street, after an illness of but a few weeks. Mr. Owen has been a resident of Bellingham for twelve years, engaging in the mill business in different parts of Whatcom county. He was a member of the First Methodist church and of Bellingham lodge No. 44, F. & A. M. The surviving relatives are the widow, Mrs. Owen; one son, Rolland A.; one daughter, Miss Bernice Owen; three brothers, Mark and David Owen, all of Bellingham, and C. E. Owen, now residing in Oregon. The funeral service will be held Sunday, February 4, at 2 o'clock p. m., from the funeral parlors of Undertaker Harry O. Bingham, 1319 Dock street. Rev. N. M. Temple, pastor of the First Methodist church, officiating at the parlors. The burial will take place in Bay View cemetery, according to the ritualistic burial service of the Masonic fraternity, under the direction of Bellingham Bay lodge No. 44, F. and A. M. The funeral car will leave the corner of Dock and Kentucky streets at 1:50 for the convenience of the family.
(From the Bellingham Herald, February 1, 1912; WGS Collection)

OWEN, Margaret E. (d. 1905)

Mrs. Margaret E. Owen died Sunday morning at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. N. A. Biglow, 900 Maple street. Mrs. Owen was 75 years of age. Her death was due to uralmia from which she had suffered two months. Mrs. Owen leaves a family of four daughters and two sons. C. W. Owen of the south side and Mrs. Bigelow are the only children residing here. The funeral will be held at the residence, 900 Maple street, at 2 o'clock this afternoon. Rev. C. E. Todd will have charge of the services. The Aristos quartette will render selections at the funeral. Interment will take place in Bay View cemetery under the direction of W. H. Mock & Sons.
(From The Bellingham Reveille, June 20, 1905) Submitted by site coordinator.

OWENS, John (d. 1903)

John Owens of Everson, a well-known resident of Whatcom county, died yesterday in Phoenix, Arizona, where he had gone six weeks ago for the benefit of his health. The exact cause of his death is not known, although it is supposed to be due to a general break-down of the system, brought about by over-work and improper nourishment. Deceased was a pioneer of this county, having come here twenty years ago from Louisville, Ky. He owned a farm at Clearbrook for many years, but last year sold out and moved to Everson. He had been in the employ of the B. B. & B. C. on the section for several years. Deceased was a widower and had no relatives in this county. His nearest known relatives are some nieces in Louisville. John Owens was born in Ireland about sixty years ago, and came to America when he was sixteen years old. He served during the civil war in the confederate army. Deceased was a member of the Odd Fellows at Lynden. No arrangements have as yet been announced for the funeral.
(From The Daily Reveille, November 10, 1903) Submitted by site coordinator.

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