Warning: Undefined variable $postid in /home/u326859603/domains/shermancountyoregon.com/public_html/wp-content/plugins/wp-content-copy-protection-premium-81815S/wp-content-copy-protection-premium.php on line 122

Veterans of the Civil War

“…veterans of the late unpleasantness”

Compiled by Sherry Woods Kaseberg and Chris Sanders

Information for Civil War veterans who lived in Sherman County is derived from several sources, including cemetery records in Sherman County, Kent, Grass Valley, Moro, Rose, Sunrise, Wasco Methodist and Emigrant Springs, and Chris Sanders’ transcribed obituaries from the microfilmed copies of the Wasco News, Wasco News Enterprise, People’s Republic, Grass Valley Journal, Moro Bulletin, Moro Leader, Moro Observer, Sherman County Observer, and Sherman County Journal. Other sources include the 1900 Sherman County Voters’ Register transcribed by Chris Sanders, the 1890 11th Census of Surviving Soldiers, Marines and Widows in Sherman County, and the Oregon Death Index.

Monkland, Rutledge, Erskine, Klondike, Nish, McDonald, Michigan and Rosebush were small hamlets or districts in Sherman County.

<strong>Civil War Records</strong><strong>The Grand Army of the Republic</strong><strong>Civil War Veterans</strong><strong>Obituaries & Other Source Information</strong><strong>Veterans’ Schedule 1890</strong><strong>Stories: For The Record</strong>

Civil War Records

The original service records of Union and Confederate Civil War Soldiers and the pension records of Union veterans are maintained at the National Archives Building in Washington, DC, where they are available for research to anyone at least age 16.

The records exist in their originally created form and on microfilm. The military service records and pension files are separate series of records and must be requested on separate forms. For example, if you need both the service record and the pension file for one particular veteran who fought for the Union, you need to complete two NATF Forms, 86 and 85.

The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), www.nara.gov, does not have custody of Confederate soldier pension files. For additional information regarding Confederate pension files, please contact the State Archives for the state from which the veteran served. For a successful search of the records, certain specific information is required, including: Full name, state in which he served, and branch of military. You must also indicate the side on which he fought, Union or Confederate. If a file is found for the veteran in question, NARA will supply copies of documents that provide pertinent information about the veteran and his family. Instructions on the NATF Forms 85 and 86 explain the payment procedure for copies.

The Grand Army of the Republic (GAR)

The wounded, many who would have surely died in earlier wars returned home to be cared for by a community structure weary from a protracted war and now also faced with the needs of widows and orphans. Veterans needed jobs, including a whole new group of veterans–the colored soldier and his entire, newly freed, family. It was often more than the fragile fabric of communities could bear.

State and federal leaders from President Lincoln down had promised to care for “those who have borne the burden, his widows and orphans,” but they had little knowledge of how to accomplish the task. There was also little political pressure to see that the promises were kept.

Probably the most profound emotion was emptiness. Men had lived together, fought together, foraged together and survived, and had developed a unique bond that could not be broken. As time went by the memories of the filthy and vile environment of camp life began to be remembered less harshly and, eventually, fondly. The horror and gore of battle lifted with the smoke and smell of burnt black powder and was replaced with the personal rain of tears for the departed comrades. Friendships forged in battle survived the separation and veterans missed the warmth of trusting companionship that had asked only total and absolute commitment.

Groups of men began joining together–first for camaraderie and then for political power. Most powerful among the various organizations was the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), which by 1890 numbered 409,489 veterans of the “War of the Rebellion.”

Founded in Decatur, Illinois on April 6, 1866, membership was limited to honorably discharged veterans of the Union Army, Navy, Marine Corps or the Revenue Cutter Service who had served between April 12, 1861 and April 9, 1865.

The community level organization was called a Post and each was numbered consecutively within each Department. Most Posts had a name and the rules for naming Posts included the requirement that the honored person be deceased and that no two Posts within the same Department could have the same name. The Departments generally consisted of the Posts within a state and, at the national level, the organization was operated by the elected Commandery-in-Chief.

Post Commanders were elected as were Junior and Senior Vice Commanders and the members of Council. Each member was voted into membership using the Masonic system of casting black or white balls (except that more than one black ball was required to reject a candidate for membership). When a candidate was rejected, that rejection was reported to the Department which listed the rejection in general orders and those rejections were maintained in a “Black Book” at each Post meeting place. The meeting rituals and induction of members were similar to the Masonic rituals and have been handed down to the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.

The official body of the Department was the annual Encampment, which was presided over by the elected Department Commander, Senior and Junior Vice Commanders and the Council. Encampments were elaborate multi-day events which often included camping out, formal dinners and memorial events. In later years the Department Encampments were often held in conjunction with the Encampments of the Allied Orders, including Camps of the Sons of Veterans Reserve, which at the time were quasi-military in nature, often listed as a unit of the state militia or national guard.

National Encampments of the Grand Army of the Republic were presided over by a Commander-in-Chief who was elected in political events that rivaled national political party conventions. The Senior and Junior Vice Commander-in-Chief as well as the National Council of Administration were also elected.

The GAR founded soldiers’ homes, and was active in relief work and pension legislation. Five members were elected President of the United States and, for a time, it was impossible to be nominated on the Republican ticket without the endorsement of the GAR voting block.

In 1868, Commander-in-Chief John A. Logan issued General Order No. 11 calling for all Departments and Posts to set aside the 30th of May as a day for remembering the sacrifices of fallen comrades, thereby beginning the celebration of Memorial Day.

With membership limited strictly to “veterans of the late unpleasantness,” allied organizations formed: Sons of Veterans of the United States of America (later to become the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War); Womens’ Relief Corps (WRC); Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic (LGAR), the official auxiliary to the GAR. Coming along a bit later, the Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War, similar to the SUVCW but for women, also earned the designation as an Allied Order of the GAR. Rounding out the list of Allied Orders is the Auxiliary to the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, which is open to women with hereditary ties to a veteran or who is the spouse, sister or daughter of a member of the SUVCW.

The final Encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic was held in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1949 and the last member, Albert Woolson, died in 1956 at the age of 109 years.

Grand Army of the Republic, W.T. Sherman Post #4, Wasco, Oregon

(an undated list of members spelled as found)

  • Elmer K. Ashby, Wasco
  • C. Clancy
  • T.F. Cochrane
  • Simon Elcock, Wasco-Moro
  • G.W. James
  • John H. Johnson, Wasco
  • C.C. Kuney
  • George Meader, Wasco
  • Joseph Morris
  • John Morrow
  • Alex’r. Nish
  • Samuel Orendorf
  • B.F. Pike
  • W.H. Radcliff
  • J.B. Small
  • Frank Smith
  • Isaac Thompson
  • J. Thompson
  • A.B. Wooley
  • A.W. Wooley

Sherman County Civil War Veterans

Sherman County Civil War veterans and their families are remembered by their gravestones in local cemeteries and records compiled many years ago by Theodore Johnston of Moro and others.
* Veterans with asterisk and numbered as shown were enumerated in the 1890 11th Census of U.S. Surviving Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Widows – Sherman County, Oregon.

Site Key Icon SITE KEY

DeMoss Springs Cemetery
Emigrant Springs Cemetery
Harper Charles Arthur 1833 1928 Reportedly a Civil War veteran; husband of Mary Jane Keplinger; father of Charles A. Jr., Minnie, Bill, Ernest and Jessie; lived E of Wasco; buried Emigrant Springs Cemetery. [Sherman County News, 13 December 1928>
Grass Valley Cemetery
Baker Sam 1834 1911 Reportedly a Civil War veteran; Iowa to Sherman County late 1890s; set up the first bank in Grass Valley; father of Sam, Etta, Roy J., Bert C., Emanuel, C.J. & G. Everett.
Dugger Hardin Green 16 March 1840, TN 17 April 1927 near GrassValley, OR Private, Company K, 1st Tennessee Infantry, Union Army, 1861-1865; husband of Nancy Ann Jenkins; father of Hattie, William R., Mae [Peterson], Alvin, Lillian, and two children who predeceased him; to Sherman County ca. 1902; farmer; also spelled Harding; buried Grass Valley Cemetery. [Sherman County Observer, 22 April 1927; ODI#1; Grass Valley Journal, 22 April 1927]
Hiles Henry Joseph 1836, OH 12 February 1918, Grass Valley, OR Co. A, 150th Illinois Infantry; m. Sarah Elizabeth Bennett; buried Grass Valley Cemetery. [ODI#6; GAR Pension Claim Cert. 1,026,260; Grass Valley Journal, 15 February 1918]
Stiers Joseph 1824 1902 Sergeant, Co. A, 15th Kentucky Cavalry; m. Margaret in IL; to TX, to MO for 23 years; to Sherman County, OR about 1899; father of four. [Margaret Stiers’ obituary, Sherman County Observer, 28 December 1923: b. Benton County, KY 11 October 1845; m. Joseph Stiers in IL; lived with her daughter Mrs. Robert Eslinger 20 years after he died; Christian church 54 years; at age 70 knitted 113 pairs of sox for WWI soldiers]
Kent Cemetery
Brown Benjamin Minette 5 February 1837, St. Lawrence County, NY 23 February 1929, Kent, Sherman County, OR Civil War, Company C, 7th Indiana Cavalry; Oregon Volunteers engaged in campaign against Chief Joseph; m. Mary Jane Spoonemore; pioneer merchant at Kent. [Sherman County News, 28 February 1929; ODI#5; 1900VR: B.M. Brown, 63, farmer, Section 8 T5S R17E & also D.H. Spoonemore 27, G.W. Spoonemore 64, & Jas. Spoonemore 32; Grass Valley Journal & Sherman County Observer, 1 March 1929]
Wilson George Scott 28 November 1845, Johnson County, TN 21 September 1919, stroke Private, Co. D, 13th Tennessee Cavalry, Union Army, 1 March 1865 to 5 September 1865, the same unit in which his father, Richard L. Wilson, served; husband of Martha Evelyn Cress; father of 10; to Kent area of Sherman County 1905; buried Kent Cemetery. [Grass Valley Journal, 26 September 1919]
Moro Cemetery
*Cochran#87-88 Thomas F. 16 November 1847, Noble County, OH 2 April 1905, Sherman County, OR Thomas Francis Cochran: enlisted age 18, Private, Co. A, 25th Iowa / Co. F, 4th Iowa Infantry, 13 February 1864 to 30 May 1865, transferred to Co. F, 4th Iowa Infantry 30 May 1965 to 24 July 1865, 1y 5m 23d, severely wounded at the battle of Resaca, Georgia 19 July 1964; discharged for disability, Louisville, KY; m. Miss Angelina Corsan at Western College, Linn County, Iowa 12 March 1868; father of Martin L., Eli C., Benajah T. and Rosa H.; to DeMoss Springs & Monkland area near Moro 1887; joined W.T. Sherman Post, GAR 1891; buried Moro Cemetery. [Sherman County Observer, 5 May 1905; 1900VR: T.F. Cochran, 53, farmer Section 10 T1S R17E, Moro Precinct; 1856 Iowa State Census, Cedar, Washington County, Iowa]
*Currie#32-32 William 1844, Scotland 1915 Private, Company C, 30th Michigan Infantry, December 1864 to June 1865; discharged for disability; lived Canada age 5-20; 1864 to MI & volunteered, served on guard duty through the rest of the war; to Sherman County 1885, bought railroad land, lived Rutledge; husband of Louisa (Seely) Turner; had one of the first threshing machines with a gas engine; buried Moro Cemetery. [Sherman County Observer, 19 March 1915; Illustrated History of Central Oregon, 1905; 1900VR, Rutledge Precinct: William Currie, 56, b. Ireland, naturalization, homestead certificate Section 32 T2S R18E; Grass Valley Journal, 19 & 26 March 1915]
* Gage#63-63 Moses D. Chaplain, Co. B, 12th Iowa (Indiana) Infantry, 8 August 1862 to 20 June 1865, 2y 10m 14d; born 1828 NY, died 1912 Santa Clara County, CA; lived at Moro; Baptist clergyman, school teacher; husband of Mary E., father of Mary E., Emma S., Hattie L., Charles A. & Alvin C.[1860 US Census, Posey County, IN; Civil War Draft Registration Records; Civil War Records; 1870 US Census, Davis County, KS; 1880 US Census, Yuba County, KS; 1900 US Census, Monterey County, CA; 1910 US Census, Santa Clara County, CA; reportedly buried at Moro Cemetery, no gravestone found]
Goghban F.T. Co. F, Iowa Infantry; W.T. Sherman Post #4, Department of Oregon. [reportedly buried Moro Cemetery, no gravestone found]
Ireland DeWitt Clinton 4 July 1836, Rutland, VT 7 January 1913, Sherman County, OR Civil War, 3 month enlistment 1861 & company disbanded; lived at Moro; journalist in Astoria, Portland, McMinnville, Oregon City and The Dalles before purchasing the Moro Observer in 1894; editor Moro Observer & Sherman County Observer; buried Moro Cemetery, re-interred years later at Zion Memorial Cemetery at Canby, Oregon; the family owned farm land south of Kent – The Observer Farm. [Sherman County Observer 10 January 1913; Grass Valley Journal 10 January 1913; ODI#294]
*Messinger#39-39 John W. 1846 26 July 1920, Yamhill County, OR Private, Co. B, 1st Oregon Infantry; October 1864 to July 1866, 1y 7m 22d; IA to OR 1860s; 1902 in the dry goods business; lived Erskineville – Moro area; husband of Burzilda Olds & Sadie Swann; died McMinnville, OR; buried Moro Cemetery. [ODI#156, Yamhill County, OR; 1900VR: J.W. Messinger, 53, farmer Section 27 T1S R16E, Moro Precinct; Sherman County Observer, 30 July 1920]
*Neece#69-70 Harrison 9 January1832, TN 9 May 1897 Private, Co. F, 4th Missouri State Militia Infantry, 8 March 1862 to 27 March 1863, 1y 19d; husband of Mary M. Derrick; to Sherman County with other Neece family members 1883 and lived near Moro; a relative had an orchard on the Columbia River; buried Moro Cemetery. [Moro Observer, Moro, Oregon].
*Schaeffer#79-84 John J. 24 June 1845, OH 10 May 1931, Sherman County, OR Private, Co. F, 145th Ohio Infantry, 9 May 1863 to 25 April 1865, 1y 11m 16d, two brothers in same company; homestead near Erskine, purchased a timber claim south of Moro; P.O. DeMoss Springs in 1890; mercantile businesses in Moro and Kent; (Eastern Oregon Trading Company); m. Mary Elizabeth Snodderly; buried Moro Cemetery. [Sherman County Journal, 15 May 1931; Illus. History of Central Oregon, 1905; 1900VR: J.J. Schaeffer, 55, farmer, Section 19, 1S, 17E, Moro Precinct; SCJ, 15 May 1931; ODI#6; 1890]
*Wheat#46-46 Jacob Boone 1 May 1833, Jefferson County, IN 10/17 December 1910, Sherman County, OR Enlisted in home guard company in Missouri 1861; Private, Co. K, 76th Missouri Militia, April 1862 to 1863, serving in Missouri & Arkansas, “cannot give exact dates of enlistment of discharge;” to Missouri age 13; m. Charlotte Temple Neece 1855 Lawrence County, Missouri; parents of William, Grenville and Martha who died young and Henrietta who m. William H. Rose, Nathaniel P. who m. Ida Howard, Edwin Boone who m. Nellie McCoy and Don Carlos who m. Mary Gilbert; to Sherman County 1881 & homesteaded near Grass Valley Canyon E of Moro; buried Moro Cemetery. [Sherman County Observer, 23 December 1910; Illustrated History of Central Oregon, 1905; ODI#3976; 1900VR: J.B. Wheat, 63, farmer Section 15 T1S R17E, Moro Precinct].
Rose Cemetery
*Belshe#92-93 James R. 5 September 1841, MO 8 January 1913, Hood River, Hood River County, OR Private, Company I, 4th Missouri State Militia Cavalry, 16 January 1862 to 25 April 1863, 1y 3m 9d, discharged for disability; 1881 by train to western Oregon; to Sherman County, Monkland district 1882; husband of Susanna “Anna” Witten; father of Lou Zenia Kenny, Maud Belshe, Nellie Belshe, Orval Leonidas Belshe, Georgia Belshe, Herbert Clay Belshe, Ada Belshe and James Wilford Belshe; elected county surveyor 1889; retired in Hood River, Oregon. [Sherman County Observer, 10 & 17 January 1913; ODI#85; 1900VR, Monkland Precinct, age 58, farmer Section 11 T1S R17E; 1890]
*James#157-158 George Washington 25 November 1839, Marshall County, IL 25 November 1901, Portland, OR Private, Co. H, 77th Illinois Infantry, 9 August 1862 to 10 July 1865. 2y 10m 29d, served in campaigns at Vicksburg and Mobile and Red River expedition; to Yamhill County, Oregon 1878; to Sherman County, Hay Canyon area 1885; charter member W.T. Sherman Post #4, GAR; lived Moro; m. Mary E. Bennington; to western Oregon to educate his children; died Portland, buried Rose Cemetery beside a son who died earlier. [Sherman County Observer, 29 November 1901 & 6 December 1901]
Nish Alexander 15 February 1847, Scotland March 1937, The Dalles, Wasco County, OR Co. I, 95th Illinois Infantry under his uncle Captain James Nish for over two years, Mobile & Nashville; to USA 1852 age 5; to Iowa; husband of Harriet Thompson; father of William Nish, Charles A. Nish, Lilah Nish Hall, Grace Nish Guppy, Elizabeth Nish Nevilier; brother of David Nish, Moro; to Sherman County 1891; farmed east of Moro at Monkland; W.T. Sherman Post, GAR & J.S. Nesmith Post No. 32, GAR; reportedly the only Civil War veteran in three counties in 1927; “last Civil War veteran” in the GAR Post in The Dalles & the region; McDonald Station on the Columbia Southern Railroad through Sherman County was re-named Nish in his honor; buried Rose Cemetery. [Illus. History of Central Oregon, 1905; ODI#45; 1900VR, Monkland District, Alex Nish, born England, farmer, Section 18 T1S R18E: naturalized 14 September 1877, Polk County, IA Circuit Court; SCJ, 26 March 1937]
Thompson Isaac 20 September 1834, OH 22 July 1924 Private, Co. D, 151st Regiment, Illinois Infantry, 1865-1866, seriously injured toward end of the war; husband of Mary Ann Easley; to western Oregon , to Sherman County 1884; one of three surviving Civil War veterans in Sherman County when he died; 1924 commander of W.T. Sherman Post #4, GAR; buried Rose Cemetery. [Wasco News Enterprise, 31 July 1924; ODI#17; 1900VR, Rutledge Precinct: Isaac Thompson, 65, farmer Section 13 T2S R17E; Sherman County Observer, 25 July 1924]
Wasco Methodist Cemetery
Briscoe John 1846, MS 1890 To Sherman County 1882.
Weatherford Jasper; widow Mary Jane (Carmical) Weatherford Young MO Jasper Weatherford m. Mary Jane Carmical 1872 in Missouri; his widow, Mary Jane (Carmical) Weatherford, m. 2nd Alonzo Young in 1886; the 1890 veterans’ census enumerator noted, “Best I can determine from (Jasper’s) widow, her husband was only in Missouri Militia.” [Wasco News, 18 January 1907; 1900 US Census, Grant Precinct, Sherman County, Oregon]
Wasco Sunrise Cemetery
*Brock#105-106 Thomas B., widow Margaret A. Brock Private, Co. K, 122nd Illinois Infantry, 9 August 1862 to 15 July 1865, 2y 11m, contracted consumption, taken prisoner at Fenton August 1862, paroled; lived at Wasco; widow Margaret A. Brock.
Dunlap Clark 1844, IL 15 December 1920, Sherman County, OR Co. C, 1st Oregon Infantry; to eastern Oregon 1868; married Nancy Jane Chapman; lived at Bakeoven Wasco County 1880; took up land in upper Spanish Hollow in Sherman County 1882; ¼ of the original town of Wasco was built on Dunlap property; buried Wasco Sunrise Cemetery. [1900VR, Wasco Precinct: Clark Dunlap, 55, farmer, res. Wilson & Third, Wasco; ODI#24; Sherman County Observer, 31 December 1920; Civil War Pension Index]
Fowler William R. 1840, MO 10 September 1907, Marion County, OR Company A, MO, Confederate States of America, served under Captain Dill, Colonel Parsons and General parsons; m. Lettie Matthews; to Rufus area, Sherman County 1884; buried Wasco Sunrise Cemetery. [Illustrated History of Central Oregon, 1905; Sherman County Observer, 27 September 1907; Wasco News, 20 September 1907; ODI#4632; 1900 Sherman County Voters Register, Grant Precinct, William R. Fowler, 55, Section 6 T2N R17E; Pat Combs, 1998, United Daughters of the Confederacy, Historian Chapter #2369]
*Johnson#76-76 John Henry 1838, KY 27 May 1923 Corporal, Company B, 130th Illinois Infantry, 12 August 1862 to ______; Commander, W.T. Sherman Post #4, GAR, Department of Oregon; husband of Catherine; to Sherman County 1884, lived at Emigrant Springs; buried Wasco Sunrise Cemetery. [ODI#9; Sherman County Observer, 1 June 1923 obituary states he is a Civil War veteran; 1900 Sherman County Voters Register, Biglow Precinct]
McHenry J.B. 4 October 1849 16 April 1914 [Buried Sunrise Cemetery near Wasco]
*Morris#29-29 Joseph T. 1844, IL 19 December 1925,The Dalles, Wasco County, OR, 81y Private, Co. K, 3rd Illinois Cavalry; member Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.), W.T. Sherman Post #4, Wasco; lived Rufus/Grant 20 years; father of Walter A., Mrs. A.M. Macnab, Mrs. L.W. Langford & Miss Nellie Morris; buried Sunrise Cemetery with wife Mary. [ODI#145; 1900VR: Joseph T. Morris, orchardist, 55, Section 1 T2N R16E; Sherman County Observer, 25 December 1925; 1890 census taker noted that he thought Morris “was in Missouri State Militia.]
*Morrow#31-31 John 1830, IL 18 December 1903, Sherman County, OR Private, Co. H, 7th Illinois Infantry, 17 April 1861 to 17 July 1861, 3m, received no discharge; to Sherman County by train 1888, lived at Grover, homestead on Starvation Point; m. Mary Shoup; father of 11; 1892-1900 established Starvation Point Post Office; W.T. Sherman Post, GAR; buried Sunrise Cemetery. [Wasco News, 25 December 1903; ODI#548; 1900VR, Monkland Precinct, John Morrow, 59, farmer Section 31 T1N R19E; 1890]
Ornduff Samuel P. 1842, IL 7 February 1901, E of Wasco, Sherman County, OR Co. F, 3rd Iowa Cavalry; husband of Nancy Everett; Missouri to Sherman County 1885, east of Moro; charter member W.T. Sherman Post #4, GAR; buried Sunrise Cemetery. [Sherman County Observer, 15 February 1901; 1900VR, Biglow Precinct: S. Ornduff, 58, farmer Section 19, T2N R18E]
Pyburn Jacob ca. 1849 1901 Co. F, 1st Oregon Infantry; m. Susan Mulkey; buried Sunrise Cemetery. [Sherman County Observer, 22 March 1901; Civil War Pension Index; American Civil War Soldiers, Union Army]
Radcliff(e) William H. December 1835, OH Co. E, 128th Ohio Infantry; lived Wasco Precinct in 1900 with Alice D., age 47 years, born Ohio; buried Sunrise Cemetery. [1900 Soundex ED 37 sheet 6 line 82, Wasco Precinct; 1900VR, Wasco Precinct: W.H. Radcliffe, 64, laborer, Wasco, Oregon]
*Richelderfer#118-123 Henry 1846, PA 1926 Private, Co. G, 214th Pennsylvania Infantry, March 1865 to March 1866, 1y; husband of Mary Evans; to Sherman County about 1880, homesteaded W of Wasco while working on the railroad and building bridges; 1890 planted trees along the cemetery road (Sawtooth Road); 1902 built a large house; buried Wasco Sunrise Cemetery with wife Mary. [Wasco News Enterprise, 8 April 1926; Illustrated History of Central Oregon, 1905; 1900VR, Wasco Precinct: H. Richelderfer, 54, farmer Section 6 T2N R17E; 1890]
Scholl Louis 4 November 1829, Karlsruhe, Germany 1911 Born Karlsruhe, Germany; to USA 1852, San Francisco, CA; architect & civil engineer for the government; 1856 posted to The Dalles, OR; naturalized Superior Court, The Dalles 5 April 1860; designed buildings at Fort Dalles 1856-1860; designed buildings at Fort Simcoe & Fort Walla Walla; lived The Dalles 1860, 1870, Walla Walla, Washington 1880, 1900; husband of Elizabeth Fulton; father of Carl, Louis and Bismark; buried Wasco Sunrise Cemetery. [U.S. Army Register of Enlistments 1798-1914; U.S. Passport Applications 1795-1925]
*Smith#65-65 Franklin H. May 1838, Green County, PA 8 March 1899, near Rufus, Sherman County, OR Private, Co. C, 8th Iowa Infantry, 21 August 1861 to 17 September 1862, 1y 27d, gunshot wound to right arm; captured, imprisoned, exchanged and discharged; to Iowa with parents as a young man; came west in 1870s to California, to Walla Walla and then lived Grant-Rufus area; m. Joana Vaughn 1866 Iowa; to Sherman County ca. 1884; W.T. Sherman Post #4, GAR; buried Wasco Sunrise Cemetery. [Sherman County Observer, 17 March 1899; Wasco News, 16 March 1899; The People’s Republic, 17 March 1899; 1890]
*Taylor#15-15 Samuel L. 1847 1915 Private, Company I, 28th  Regiment, Illinois Infantry, 4 March __, and Private, Company B, 44th Iowa Infantry, 2 May 1865 to 15 September 1865, 3m 10d; husband of Sarah E.; lived near Emigrant Springs & was in Hood River County by 1910; buried Wasco Sunrise Cemetery.
Other & Unknown Burials
Ashby Elmer K. W.T. Sherman Post #4, GAR, Wasco.
Boyd*60-60 George F. Private, Co. F, Kansas Infantry; lived at Moro
Buker John H. U.S. Navy, Civil War; m. Annie E. Benjamin; died at home in Grass Valley; funeral in Grass Valley; buried The Dalles, OR according to Sherman County Journal, 13 November 1931 in wife’s obituary. [Sherman County Observer, 14 October 1921]
*Carmical#57-57 Joseph S. 3 July 1831, IL August 1872, Oasis, MO Joseph Styles Carmical, private, Co. L & Co. G, 14th Missouri Cavalry, 24 January 1862 to 4 February 1865, 3y 11d; lived Taney County, Missouri; m.1st Mary Ann Meyers and had daughter Mary Jane 1855-1938 who m1 Jasper Weatherford who died in Missouri, came to Oregon, m2nd Alonzo Young; Joseph S. Carmical m. 2nd Rachel Elizabeth with whom he had John, Susan, Joseph and Martha; he died 1872-1880; his widow Rachel m. 2nd John Needham Coats and she died 12 January 1914 Washington County, Idaho. [1910 US Census, Washington County, Idaho; Sherman County Journal, 1938]
Clancy W.T. Sherman Post #4, GAR, Wasco
*Corson#85-86 Jonathan S. P.O. Sherman, Oregon in 1890.
*Doane#86-86 Joshua “Independent Corp, Private, Co. C, 119th Pennsylvania Infantry,” 14 August 1862 to 19 June 1865, 2y 10m 5d, gunshot wound right temple; lived near Emigrant Springs.
*Eastwood#155-116 Nathaniel, widow Helen Barnett Private, Co. _, __ Kansas Cavalry, killed at Shiloh; enumerator could determine “no further particulars;” widow Helen Barnett.
*Edwards#70-70 Spencer Private, Co. D, 29th Wisconsin Infantry, 20 August 1862 to 22 June 1865, 2y 10m 2d, gunshot wound to left hand; lived at Grant, Sherman County, Oregon.
*Elcock#107-108 Simon Canada 1929, at home Roseville, CA Private, Co. E, 1st Minnesota Artillery, January 1863 to October 1865; discharged for disability; papers destroyed, unable to report dates with accuracy to 1890 census enumerator; attended a Civil War reunion at Gettysburg in 1913; pioneer rancher & business man at Monkland, E of Moro, & Moro Commercial Company; operated the only stationary threshing outfit in Monkland district for many years; husband of Emma; to Portland 1917; to CA 1923; father of Edna, Anna & a son in Roseville; a brother at Kenyon, Minnesota. [1900VR, Monkland Precinct: S. Elcock, 53, farmer, born Canada, naturalized, homestead entry res. Section 8 T1S R18E; Grass Valley Journal, 5 April 1929; 1890]
*Gerking#114-119 William Rice 1843 Clay County, MO 10 September 1907 Tekoa, Washington Private, Co. _, 6th Missouri Cavalry 1861; son of Jonathan Rice Gerking and Nancy Ann Myers; to Oregon by ox team 1862; m. Samantha Stone, Walla Walla; 1880 lived in Eaton Precinct, Wasco County; Gerking Canyon named for him; father of Lulu, Ada, Annie, Guy, Nancy and Ivy. [The Gerking Family in America by Florence M. Bowe; 1880 Wasco County, Census]
*Hogan#27-27 Robert Private, Co. E, 1st Oregon Cavalry, 26 February 1862 to 7 April 1866, 4y 1m 11d; lived at Monkland 1890.
*Huff#49-49 Abram C. May 1838, MI 1907, Soldier’s Home, Roseburg, OR Private, Co. H, 9th Iowa Infantry, 1862-1963; son of David & Maria; lived at Moro in 1900; m. Sarah Ann Maricle. [1900 Soundex, ED 36 sheet 7 line 73, Moro Precinct; ODI#6198, Douglas County, OR]
*Kaseberg#55-56 John C. 1831, Wettesingen, Hessen-Kassel, Germany 1906, Walla Walla, WA Private, Co. K, 5th Missouri Infantry, wagon maker 11 May 1861 to 20 October 1861, 4m 9d, St. Louis Arsenal, MO, enumerator thought he was in the Missouri State Militia only; to Sherman County 1882; lived on a homestead west of Wasco & retired to Walla Walla; married Henrietta Sommerkamp; father of Augusta, Henry, Will, Lizzie, John, Edward, Amelia and Albert; buried Walla Walla, Washington. [Sherman County Observer, 13 & 20 April 1906; Wasco News, 6 April 1906; 1900 Voter’s Register, Wasco Precinct — Kaseberg, John, 65, farmer b. Germany, naturalization, Homestead Certificate on residence Sec. 22-1N-16E; “An Illustrated History of Southeastern Washington, including Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin Counties,1906]
*Kuney#120-121 Cassius C. Private, Co. G, 1st Wisconsin Infantry, 3 September 1861 to 2 March 1864, 2y 6m 29d and Private, Co. B, 52nd Wisconsin Infantry, 3 April 1865 to 28 July 1865, 3m 25d mustered out Leavenworth, Kansas; lived at Wasco. [Roster of Wisconsin Volunteers: War of the Rebellion; Civil War Enlistment Records.]
*Marquis#5-5 Francis M. “Frank” 15 August 1917, Wasco County, OR Private, Co. C, 87th Ohio Infantry, 1 June 1862 to 20 October 1862, 4m 20d; lived Grass Valley. [ODI#92]
*McCoy#96-96 Lewis G., widow Nancy E. McCoy 23 July 1844, Sangamon County, IL 22 September 1876, Logan County, IL of injuries sustained while in military service and consumption Private, Co. E, 2nd Iowa Infantry, enlisted Fairfield, Iowa 2 September 1862 aged 18; ambulance driver; discharged 31 May 1865 Springfield, Illinois; son of Isaiah Todd and Lucilla (Robinson) McCoy; m. Nancy Elizabeth Shoup who came to Sherman County, Oregon with John and Mary (Shoup) Morrow in 1888 but did not stay; no children.
*Meader#43-43 George May 1842, ME 30 January 1926, Yamhill County, OR Private, Co. G, 24th Maine Volunteer Infantry; was not at home; family could not give dates to the enumerator; lived Moro area 30 years; to Newberg, OR by 1922; husband of Julia. [1900 Soundex ED 36 sheet 2 line 89, Moro Precinct; ODI#109; 1900VR, Moro Precinct: Geo. Meader, 57, janitor, Lot 3, Block 5 Moro.]
*Noyes#56-57 Sylvester Private, Co. H, 15th Iowa Infantry, 20 November 1861 to 23 July 1865, 3y 9m 2d; lived in the Wasco area. [US Civil War Soldier Records & Profiles: Private Sylvester H. Noyes of Little Sioux, Iowa enlisted age 22 in Co. H, 15th Iowa Infantry 13 December 1860, promoted to Full Wagoner, mustered out 24 July 1865, Louisville, KY.]
Parry John Matthews 29 August 1842,Monmouthshire,England 21 January 1920, Portland, OR Battery L, 1st New York Light Artillery; enlisted Union Army age 19, 10 October 1861; son of William Parry, a Methodist minister; to America with his father’s brother’s family to near Albany, New York where he grew up; to Indiana 1870; m. Helen Forshey 27 December 1870 IN; to Otoe County, Nebraska 1872; train to San Francisco 1883, boat to Portland; purchased 900 acres in Polk County, Oregon; father of Harry, John & Walter; to Sherman County 1894, engaged in business, butcher in Moro; appointed postmaster; 1900 charter member Eureka Lodge #121 A.F. & A.M. in Moro; funeral Portland [1900VR, Moro Precinct: J.M. Parry, 57, butcher, Lot 2, Block 2, Moro, citizen by virtue of his father’s naturalization 21 October 1858, New York Supreme Court; Sherman County Observer, 23 January 1920 & 9 January 1931; ODI#200, Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon] – [Sherman County Observer, 27 April 1917: obituary of J.M. Parry’s brother Will H. Parry who died in Washington, D.C., noted that John M. “was with the army of the Potomac before Petersburg, VA.”]
Penland Theodore A. 13 September 1950, 101.5y Private, Co. A, 152nd Indiana Infantry; enlisted age 16 on 15 February 1865, mustered out 30 August 1865 Clarksburg, West Virginia; born 23 January 1849 Goshen, Indiana; last Commander-in-Chief of the GAR, presided over the Final Encampment in Indianapolis, Indiana 1949; died 13 September 1950 Veterans Hospital in Vancouver, Washington. [U.S. Civil War Soldier Records & Profiles]
*Phelps Charles W. Private, Co. A, 171st Pennsylvania Infantry, October 1862 to October 1863; lived at Rufus.
*Pike#78-78 Benjamin Franklin “Frank” 24 November 1840, Newburyport, MA 20 August 1926, home of son I.D. Pike, Grass Valley, OR 85y 8m 26d Private, Co. B, 40th New York Infantry, 25 May 1861 to 18 November 1862 & Co. A, 34th Massachusetts Infantry, 18 December 1862 to 13 January 1866, gunshot wound, captured by Confederate Army in Virginia, served 4y 8m 9d; to San Francisco 1867, to Portland and Linn County, Oregon; to Butter Creek, Umatilla County and located a sawmill; m. Mahala G. Denney, daughter of Judge O.N. Denney, 7 May 1871 Lebanon, Oregon; lived Linn County 8 years, to near Pendleton 5 years, The Dalles 2 years, to Sherman County 1883-1907, to Newberg where Mahala died January 1922; back to Sherman County; County Assessor 3 terms, State Legislature 1907; GAR state commander, commander GAR post at Wasco; died Grass Valley home of son I.D. Pike, funeral at Grass Valley civic auditorium followed by GAR service; buried IOOF Cemetery, The Dalles. [ODI#16; Sherman County Observer, 20 August 1926; 1900VR, Moro Precinct: B.F. Pike, 59, farmer Section 10, T1S R17E; Grass Valley Journal, 27 August 1926]
*Ragsdale#74-74 Christopher C. 14 April 1893, Portland, OR Private, Co. B, 2nd Kansas Cavalry, 8 September 1863-1 July1865, 1y 9m 23d; enlisted 9 August 1863, mustered out 22 June 1865 Fort Gibson; married Mary L. Hampton, lived at Moro; buried Knights of Pythias Cemetery, Monmouth, Polk County, Oregon. [U.S. Civil War Soldier Records & Profiles; Headstones Provided for Deceased Union Civil War Veterans]
*Reader#27-27 James T. Pvt., Co. _, 2nd Iowa Artillery, 13 August 1861 to 14 August 1864; lived at Grant between Biggs and Rufus.
Silver Nathan W. 1847 27 June 1916, Portland, Multnomah County, OR Private, Co. C, 11th Kansas Infantry; m. Juliet A. Heath; former Sherman Co. resident; buried Turner, OR. [Sherman County Observer, 14 July 1916; ODI#1259]
*Small#67-68 John B. Private, Co. _, 134th Indiana Infantry, 4 May 1864 to 2 September 1864, 4m 2d; Private, Co. D, 151st Indiana Infantry, 28 January 1865 to 19 September 1865, 7m 21d; lived at Wasco.
*Smith#15-15 John W. March 1848, MI Private, Co. F, 9th Iowa Infantry, 27 February1863–18 July1865, 1y 4m 21d; lived at Grant, Murray Springs and Rufus; in Grant Precinct in 1900. [1900 Soundex ED 34 sheet 1 line 49 Grant Precinct; 1900VR, Grant Precinct, John W. Smith, 51, merchant, Section 31, T3N R17E]
Spoonemore George W. 1835 Private, Confederate States of America, Col. Graves’ Company, Missouri State Militia, discharged upon the surrender of General Lee; lived Kingsley, Wasco County, Oregon 1890 and 15-Mile Precinct, Wasco County, Oregon 1880; husband of Nancy Jane. [Pat Combs, 1998, United Daughters of the Confederacy, Historian Chapter #2369; 1900VR, Kent Precinct, G. W. Spoonemore, farmer, 64, American, residence – Sec 27-4S-17E]
Stanley Walter S. February 1839, MI August 1913, Orchards, WA Captain Stanley, a veteran of the Civil War; engaged in Indian wars on the middle west plains after the war; in 1901 Capt. Stanley & Capt. Trotter of Boise were the only living survivors of famous Walker Expedition to Honduras in 1860 in which he “was a member of two filibustering expeditions to central America, led by General Walker, which nearly involved this country into a war trying to save the members of the party when captured by the enemy;” came to Sherman County as bookkeeper for Moore Bros.; Sherman County treasurer; [Sherman County Observer, 22 August 1913; 1900VR: W. Stanley, 61, bookkeeper, Moro, Moro Precinct]
*Stocking#12-12 John K. Private, Co. E, 105th Ohio Infantry, 11 August 1862 to ___; wounded on top of head, slight fracture and lame in right leg; lived at Wasco 1890.
*West#98-98 John I. Private, Co. A, 29th Indiana Infantry, 16 August 1861 to 8 June 1965, 3y 9m 22d, gunshot left leg, thigh right leg; in Andersonville prison 17m 14d; lived at or near Wasco.
*Wooley#1-1 Abner B. c. 1843 Pvt., Co. L, 3rd Iowa Cavalry, 15 September 1861 to 19 October 1965, 4y 1m 4d; lived at Wasco; W.T. Sherman Post #4, GAR, Wasco. [Roster & Record of Iowa Soldiers in the War of the Rebellion; U.S. Civil War Soldier Records & Profiles]
Wooley A.W. W.T. Sherman Post #4, GAR, Wasco.

Obituaries & Other Source Information

By Chris Sanders

Belshe, James R.

  • 1900 Voter’s register – Monkland Precinct–Belshee, J. R., occupation – farmer, age – 58, nativity – American, residence –Sec 11-1S-17.
  • J.R. Belshee, an old pioneer Sherman County farmer, died at Hood River, Oregon, January 8th, 1913. Funeral services were held at the Moro M.E. church, January 11th; interment at Rose Cemetery, east of Moro. [Source: Sherman County Observer, 10 January 1913]
  • James R. Belshee. It is written: “In the midst of life, there is death also.” James R. Belshee, one of the early pioneer farmers of Sherman County, who had but recently purchased a home in Hood River, was stricken with paralysis while at work at his home Wednesday, January 8th, dying almost immediately. Only the evening before, at the annual meeting he had been elected an officer of the Christian church. Funeral services were from the Moro M.E. Church, Rev. J.H. Swift, pastor of the Hood River Christian church preaching the sermon. Interment was in the family plat at Rose Cemetery. There remain to mourn his loss, Mrs. Anna Belshee, Hood River; Mrs. William Kenny, Valley, Idaho; and sons Clay and O.L. Belshee of Moro. [Source: Sherman County Observer, 17 January 1913]

Brown, Benjamin M.

  • B.M. “Uncle Ben” Brown died quite suddenly at his home here Saturday evening and was buried here Tuesday, Rev. Cofer of Grass Valley delivering the funeral address. Services at the grave were conducted by the Masonic Lodge and the American Legion. He was over 82 years old and had lived in Sherman County 35 years. There were more people at the funeral than any ever held in Kent. [Source: Sherman County Observer, 01 March 1929]
  • Funeral Services for Benjamin M. Brown, who died at his home at Kent Saturday evening at the age of 92 years, was held Tuesday at 11 a.m. from the Kent church under the direction of Zell’s. Rev. Edward Cofer conducted services with the Masons and American Legion conducting graveside services with military honors. Interment was in the Kent Cemetery. The deceased is surved by six sons, Ben C. of Bend; Charles of Medford; George and Anderson of Tekoa, Washington; John of Netart Bay; Andrew of Seattle; and two daughters, Mrs. Mary Fowler of Wheatland and Mrs. Ellen Rider of Portland. Two brothers, Fred of Kent and D.D. of Milford, Kansas also survive. Mr. Brown was for 35 years a resident of Kent. His wife had been dead for a number of years and he and his brother Fred made their home together. He was veteran of the Civil War, being a member of Company C, 7th Indiana Volunteer Cavalry, in which he served two and a half years. He was discharged from the army in 1866. He was at one time a member of General Custer’s regiment and served under him in Texas. He was a member of the Grass Valley Masonic Lodge No. 143. [Source: Sherman County Observer, 01 March 1929]
  • 1900 Voter’s register – Kent Precinct – Brown, B. M., occupation – farmer, age – 63, nativity – American, residence – Sec 8-5S-17E.

Buker, John H.

  • John H. Buker, one of the very early Oregon pioneers, died at the family home at Grass Valley Wednesday morning. Mr. Buker was a United States naval veteran of the Civil War coming to Grant County soon after his discharge and to Sherman County about twenty years ago. Mrs. G.B. Bourhill of this city is a daughter. Funeral services were held at Grass Valley Friday, Rev. H.G. Hansen, pastor of the Moro Presbyterian church,preaching the sermon. [Source: Sherman County Observer]

Cochran, Thomas F.

  • 1900 Voter’s register – Moro Precinct, Cochran, T. F., occupation – farmer, age – 53, nativity – American, residence – Sec 10-1S-17E.
  • In Memoriam. Thomas F. Cochran was born in Noble County, Ohio, November 16th, 1847. While yet a young man he united with the United Brethren church. He enlisted in Co. F., 4th Iowa Infantry February 1st, 1864, and served to the close of the war, being severely wounded at the battle of Resaca, Georgia, July 19th, 1964, from the effects of which he suffered to the time of his death. He was married to Miss Angelina Corsan at Western College, Linn County, Iowa, March 12th, 1868. To this union four children were born, Martin L., Eli C., Benajah T. and Rosa H. In the summer of 1887 he removed to Sherman County, locating on a farm near Moro, where he died Saturday, April 29th, 1905, aged 57 years, 5 months and 14 days. Comrade Cochran joined W.T. Sherman Post No. 4, Grand Army of the Republic, July 10th, 1891, and served the post as chaplain for the last 11 years. [Source: Sherman County Observer, 5 May 1905]

Currie, William

  • Wm. Currie died at Wasco Tuesday evening and the remains will be brought to Grass Valley this Friday for burial. His death was the result of a fall received. We have no further particulars at this time. [Source: Grass Valley Journal, 19 March 1915]
  • The funeral of the late Wm. Currie was held in Moro Friday… it was first the intention to have the funeral here. [Source: Grass Valley Journal, 26 March 1915]
  • 1900 Voter’s register – Rutledge Precinct – Currie, Wm., occupation – farmer, age – 56, nativity – Ireland, naturalization – homestead certificate, residence – Sec 32-2S-18E.

Dugger, Hardin G.

  • Harding G. Dugger Passes. H.G. Dugger died at his home in Grass Valley, Oregon, Monday morning, aged 87 years. Harding G. Dugger was born in Pikeville, Tennessee, March 16, 1840 and died April 18, 1927. He was united in marriage to Nancy Ann Jenkins August 19, 1860, in Crossfield, Tennessee. To this union were born seven children, two of whom have passed on. The living are Hatty Dugger of Grass Valley; William Robert Dugger of Colfax, Washington; Mrs. Mae Patterson of Grass Valley; Alvin Dugger of Bridgeport, Alabama; and Mrs. Lillian Turner of Little Rock, Arkansas. There are twelve grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, Mrs. Dugger having passed away in 1920. He served in the Union Army 1861 to 1965 in Company K, 1st Tennessee Infantry. He was a life-long Christian, uniting with the Baptist church of Grass Valley by letter about three years ago. The funeral was held in the City auditorium, Tuesday afternoon, a large number of friends attending, Rev. Feenstra delivering the funeral sermon. Mrs. Russel sang No Night There, and the quartet sang two numbers. The American Legion had charge of the military service. Grandpa Dugger, as he was familiarly called, will be missed by all. He was one of the last Civil War veterans of the county. [Source: Grass Valley Journal, 22 April 1927]

Dunlap, Clark

  • Clark Dunlap, pioneer east Oregonian since 1868 and resident of Sherman county for more than 30 years died at his home in Wasco on December 16th. He was always prominently identified with the building up of Sherman County and for a number of years was active in the social and political life of the county, only relinquishing his interest in these matters as age compelled him to forego the pleasures they brought him. [Source: Sherman County Observer, 31 December 1920 Place of Burial – Sunrise cemetery].
  • 1900 Voter’s register – Wasco Precinct – Dunlap, Clark, occupation – farmer, age – 55, nativity – American, residence – Wilson & Third Wasco.

Elcock, Simon

  • The old pioneer farmers of Sherman County are passing rapidly from the view of the younger generation. The latest death to be reported is that of Simon Elcock at his Roseville, California home on Monday. Mr. Elcock for a long number of years operated the only stationary threshing outfit in the Monkland district. He was a veteran of the Civil War and a member of the Moro lodge of IOOF. [Source: Sherman County Observer, 5 April 1929]
  • Simon Elcock Dies At Roseville, California. Mrs. Edna Brown left Tuesday morning for Roseville, California, where she was called on account of the death of her father, Simon Elcock, on Monday. Mr. Elcock was a pioneer rancher and business man of Sherman County for more than 40 years, retiring from the Moro Commercial Co. and moving to Portland in 1917 where he resided until 1923, moving to California. He is survived by his widow and two daughters and a son at Roseville, a daughter in Portland, Mrs. Anna Hadley, besides Mrs. Brown of The Dalles. He has one brother at Kenyon, Minn. [Source: Grass Valley Journal, 5 April 1929]
  • 1900 Voter’s register – Monkland Precinct – Elcock, S., occupation – farmer, age – 53, nativity – Canada, naturalization – Homestead entry on, residence – Sec 8-1S-18E.

Fowler, William R.

  • 1900 Voter’s register – Grant Precinct–Fowler, William R., occupation – farmer, age – 55, nativity – American, residence – Sec 6-2N-1E.

Hiles, Henry

  • Mr. Henry Hiles passed away at his home in Grass Valley, on Tuesday evening at 7 o’clock, February 12th, 1918, aged 81 years; the funeral was held Thursday morning at 11 o’clock. On Wednesday evening 6th Mr. Hiles received a paralytic stroke on his right side, and later pneumonia set it which proved fatal.  [Source: Grass Valley Journal, 15 February 1918]

Ireland, DeWitt C.

  • DeWitt C. Ireland, Editor of Observer, died at the home of his son, C.L. Ireland, in Moro, Oregon, Tuesday evening, January 7th, 1913, aged 75 years, 6 months and 3 days. D.C. Ireland was a veteran journalist whose career was embraced in a most extensive field in the great newspaper field. In Oregon he had conducted newspapers in The Dalles, Portland, Astoria, Oregon City and McMinnville, and moved from The Dalles in May, 1894, to Sherman County and bought the Moro Observer, and later changed the name of that paper to the Sherman County Observer. The deceased was born at Rutland, Vermont, July 4th, 1836. Mr. Ireland has for a number of years been a member of the A.F. & A.M. and was a member of the Episcopal church. Politically Mr. Ireland was a Republican, and in 1880 he was elected a delegate to the Republican national convention at Chicago which nominated President Garfield. The funeral ceremony was conducted in Moro, Thursday afternoon, January 9th. [Source: Grass Valley Journal, 10 January 1913]
  • 1900 Voter’s register – Moro Precinct — Ireland, D.C., occupation – painter, age – 64, nativity – American, residence – Moro, Oregon.

James, George W.

  • A Tribute to Comrade James. Special Correspondence. George W. James was born in Marshall County, Illinois, November 25th, 1839, and resided in that state until after the Civil War, when he enlisted in Co. H, 77th Illinois Volunteers and served till the close of the war. His service was in the southwest and he saw much in the campaigns that resulted in the capture of Vicksburg and in the Red River expedition, and also in the campaign against Mobile. Comrade James was always ready for duty, and his record while in the army is one that any man might be proud of. After the war he lived a few years in his native state then came to Oregon in 1878 locating in Yamhill County. In 1885 he removed to Sherman County and took up a homestead in the Hay Canyon, where he lived until 1894, then returned to Western Oregon for the purpose of educating his children, four of whom, with his wife to whom he was married in 1866, survive him. He died in Portland, Oregon, on the 62nd anniversary of his birth, and the 35th of his marriage, November 25, 1901. Comrade James joined the GAR as a charter member of W.T. Sherman Post, Wasco, and was always an active member of the order. His remains were brought to Moro and interred in Rose Cemetery by the side of a son who died several years ago. [Source: Sherman County Observer, 6 December 1901]

Johnson, John H.

  • John H. Johnson, Civil War veteran and retired farmer, died at his home in Wasco Saturday, May 26th, following a paralytic stroke. At the time of his death Mr. Johnson was past 84 years of age. Funeral services were conducted Monday afternoon by Rev. B.L. Hicks from the Christian church at Wasco. Interment was in the cemetery near Wasco. His widow, five sons and one daughter survive his passing. [Source: Sherman County Observer, 1 June 1923]
  • 1900 Voter’s register – Biglow Precinct — Johnson, J. H., occupation – farmer, age – 61, nativity – American, residence – Sec 30-2N-18E.

Kaseberg, John C.

  • 1900 Voter’s register – Wasco Precinct — Kaseberg, John, occupation – farmer, age – 65, nativity – Germany, naturalization – Homestead Certificate on, residence – Sec 22-1N-16E.
  • WAS PIONEER WAGONMAKER. John C. Kaseberg also served in the Civil War 1863. The funeral of John C. Kaseberg, brother of Henry Kaseberg, will be held from the residence, 318 East Rose Street, tomorrow afternoon at 2 o’clock. He was a native of Germany, being born there June 13, 1831. He came to the United States in 1853, and came to the Pacific Coast in 1882, taking up land in Sherman County, Oregon, and living there a little less than five years ago when he removed to Walla Walla. He leaves a widow, four sons and three daughters, Henry J. Kaseberg, Albert C. Kaseberg, John R. Kaseberg and E. E. Kaseberg of Wasco; Mrs. W.R. Copeland, Mrs. W. C. Bennett, Amelia Kaseberg. Another son died two years ago and an infant daughter died a number of years ago. Mr. Kaseberg enlisted in the Civil War and served two months beyond his time of three months. He was a wagon maker by trade and was employed by the government. He crossed the Atlantic three times. For a number of years he conducted a wagon making shop at Venice, Ill. [Source: unidentified Walla Walla, WA newspaper]

Meader, George

  • 1900 Voter’s register – Moro Precinct — Meader, Geo., occupation – janitor, age – 57, nativity – American, residence – Lot 3 Blk 5 Moro.

Messinger, John W.

  • John W. Messinger, pioneer settler of Oregon and Sherman county, died at his home in McMinnville Monday noon, July 26th, from a hardening of the arteries. Mr. Messinger was born April 2nd, 1846, in Iowa, crossing the plains at an early age to Oregon where he married Brizillia (sic) Olds at Carlton on September 11th, 1867. To this union eight children were born, of whom seven are living, After the death of Mrs. Messinger, about five years ago, he married Sadie Swann of McMinnville who survives him. Funeral services were held Wednesday at McMinnville. [Source: Sherman County Observer, 30 July 1920. Place of Burial – Moro IOOF cemetery]
  • 1900 Voter’s register – Moro Precinct– Messinger, J. W., occupation – farmer, age – 53, nativity – American, residence – Sec 27-1S-16E.

Miller, Thomas Jefferson

  • 1900 Voter’s register – Wasco Precinct — Miller, Thos. J., occupation – merchant, age – 65, nativity – American, residence -Sec 23-2N-15E.
  • Capt T.J. Miller, the pioneer of DesChutes city, was laid away to his final rest last week. In the stirring times of the sixties Capt. Jeff was one of the noted masters at the helm in river navigation of the Columbia from Celilo to way up into British Columbia, and finally settled near the mouth of DesChutes river, nearly half a century ago, where he died. [Source: Sherman County Journal, August 10, 1906]
  • T.J. Miller, father of our fellow-townsman W. E. Miller and of the Miller brothers of the DesChutes, died Wednesday night the funeral taking place at Wasco cemetery yesterday afternoon. Mr. Miller was of the pioneers of 48 and was an Indian war veteran, who has lived many years in Sherman County and is well and favorably known. [Source: Wasco News, August 3, 1906]
  • Death of Capt, T.J. Miller. Captain T.J. Miller, a pioneer of 1848, and father of the Miller Bros. died at his home at DeChutes on July 31. He was born at Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1834. He was a veteran of the Indian Wars of 1855 and 1856 when he served with credit and distinction. He had long been a resident of Sherman County and was always identified with the great events that lead to the final opening and development of the county. He leaves a widow, three sons and a daughter with many warm friends to mourn his loss. [Source: Wasco News, August 10, 1906]

Morris, Joseph T.

  • Sherman County Pioneer Dies At The Dalles. Joseph T. Morris, aged 81 years, a resident of Rufus for 20 years, died at his home, in The Dalles Saturday evening, December 19. Services were held from the Zell funeral home Tuesday morning followed by interment in the Wasco cemetery. Mr. Morris resided in The Dalles for the last four years. He was a member of the Grand Army of Republic, having enlisted in Company K, Third regiment of Illinois cavalry. He is survived by a son, Walter A. Morris, of Rufus, and three daughters, Mrs. A.M. MacNab of Wasco; Mrs. L.W. Langford of Rufus and Miss Nellie Morris of The Dalles. [Source: Sherman County Observer, 25 December 1925. Place of Burial – Sunrise cemetery]
  • 1900 Voter’s register – Grant Precinct– Morris, Joseph T., occupation – orchardist, age – 55, nativity – American, residence – Sec 1-2N-16E.

Morrow, John

  • 1900 Voter’s register – Monkland Precinct– Morrow, John, occupation – farmer, age – 59, nativity – American, residence – Sec 31-1N-19E.
  • John Morrow was born at Mt. Pulaski, Logan County, Illinois, July 4, 1830, and lived in that state until September, 1888; leaving there he came to Oregon where he resided until the date of his death, December 18, 1903. He was married to Miss Mary Shoup, November 24, 1853, from which union eleven children were born, six girls and five boys, all of whom are living. He enlisted as a private in Co. H, 7th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, April 25, 1861. He had two brothers, James and Alex Morrow, who were all through the war and were in Sherman’s march to the sea with him. Of these brothers, Alex survives him, James having died in the fall of 1884. Besides his large family, Mr. Morrow leaves many friends to mourn his departure, being well and favorably known in Sherman County and especially in Wasco where he had resided for a time. The funeral, which took place Sunday, December 20, from the M.E. church, was largely attended, his late comrades of the GAR acting as pall bearers. [Source: Wasco News, 25 December 1903]

Nish, Alexander

  • Nish, Last Civil War Veteran Laid To Rest. Native of Scotland, Volunteer In Illinois Regiment, Pioneer Of Sherman County, Deceased Lived Active, Eventful Life. Alexander Nish, last surviving Civil war veteran of this section of Oregon, died at his home in The Dalles Sunday night after an illness of several weeks. Mr. Nish was born in Scotland, February 15, 1847 and came with his parents to this county when he was five years old. He served with the 95th Illinois Infantry under his uncle Captain James Nish for over two years fighting with the army of the west at Mobile and at Nashville and in many skirmishes. After the war he settled in Iowa but came to Oregon in the early days to settle in the Willamette valley. In 1891 he came to Sherman County with his wife, who was formerly Harriet Thompson, a sister of A.C. and N.W. Thompson who still live here. They took up land near Monkland and lived there until 1920 when they moved to The Dalles which has been their home since. Mr. Nish formerly belonged to the GAR post in Sherman County but since that has been discontinued he has been a member of the post in The Dalles of which he was the last member. He always took a great interest in veteran affairs. Surviving him are his widow; five children, William of Tacoma; Charles A. of Mikkalo, Mrs. Lilah Hall of Moro, Mrs. Grace Guppy of Beaverton and Mrs. Elizabeth Nevilier of Chicago. David W. Nish, a brother lives in Moro. Private funeral services were held in The Dalles Wednesday morning with Rev. R.A. Hutchinson as pastor and interment was made in the Rose cemetery with members of the American Legion as pallbearers. [Source: Sherman County Journal, 26 March 1937]
  • 1900 Voter’s register – Monkland Precinct — Nish, Alex., occupation – farmer, age – 53, nativity – England, naturalization – September 14, 1877 Polk Co., Iowa Circuit court, residence – Sec18-1S-18E.

 Samuel P. Ornduff

  • Death of S.P. Ornduff. Samuel P. Ornduff died February 7th, 1901, at his home 8 miles east of Wasco, of pneumonia. He was sick less than one week and died surrounded by his family and friends. Comrade Ornduff was born in Illinois, in 1842. When still quite young he enlisted in Co. F, 3rd Iowa Cavalry, and served through the Civil War, and had an exceptionally good war record, having served in the southwest against the rebel Gens. Forrest and Marmaduke. He was married in 1864 to Miss Nancy Everett, who still survives him, and has also four sons and one daughter, all of whom reside in this county. Comrade Ornduff was a charter member of W.T. Sherman Post No. 4, GAR, and was one of its most enthusiastic members having held several offices in the post and on the staff department. He was buried in Masonic cemetery, Wasco by the Masonic fraternity. (Sunrise Cemetery) [Source: Sherman County Observer, 15 February 1901]
  • 1900 Voter’s register – Biglow Precinct. — Ornduff, S., occupation – farmer, age – 58, nativity – American, residence – Sec19-2N-18E.

Parry, John M. [Matthews]

  • J. M. Parry died in Portland at 2:30 pm Wednesday afternoon. The funeral was held in that city Friday, a large number of his friends attending from this section. We are very sorry that death called Mr. Parry at this time, not leaving him any of the pleasures of leisure for which he had planned so much. [Source: Sherman County Observer, 23 January 1920]
  • Masons Honor Memory of Deceased Member. Thursday evening, at the meeting for the joint installation of officers of Eureka lodge A.F. & A.M. and Bethlehem Chapter O.E.S., a large picture of John M. Parry, charter member of Moro lodge, was hung in the lodge with appropriate ceremony. Part of the ceremony was the reading of the life history of Mr. Parry by W.D. Wallan, who was made a Mason and a member of Moro lodge by Mr. Parry. Part of Mr. Wallan’s address we take pleasure in printing, as follows: John Matthews Parry was born in Monmouthshire, England, August 29, 1842, to Wm. Parry and wife, his father being a Methodist minister. April 18, 1851, the elder Parry with his brother and their two families embarked on a sailing vessel for the United States, arriving in due time in New York and finally settling about ten miles from Albany, N.Y. where John M. spent his boyhood. He worked for the farmers of the neighborhood, and acquired a fair education for those times. October 10, 1861 when just 19 years of age, he enlisted in the Union Army being mustered into Battery L. N.Y. 1st Light Artillery and served during the war. He was in 17 battles, a number of them being major engagements. The 2nd Bull Run, Fredricksburg and the Battle of the Wilderness. Following the war he went into the wilds of Michigan and taught school. In 1870 went into Indiana as a salesman for a Nursery Co., selling trees over the states of Iowa and eastern Nebraska. It was in Indiana that Mr. Parry met and on December 27, 1870, married Miss Helen Forshey. In 1872 they removed to Otoe county Nebraska, Mr. Parry engaging in the general merchandise business, which he continued until 1882. In 1883 came to San Francisco by train and then by boat to Portland. Leaving his family, now consisting of his wife and 3 sons, Harry, John and Walter, with a friend and Masonic brother and his family at Gaston, Ore., Mr. Parry rode up and down the Willamette valley looking for a location, finally buying 900 acres of land, mostly timber, in Polk County, near what is now Falls City. In 1894 he came to Sherman County, locating at Moro, engaged in business and was finally appointed and served as post master for a number of years. Passed away in Portland, Ore., January 21, 1920. As a man and citizen Mr. Parry was above reproach. Patriotic, and with a wholesome regard for law and order. Imbued with the pioneering spirit in his private life, he also pioneered in Masonry. While teaching in the Michigan woods he was made a Mason at Hart, Mich., in a little log lodge room by Wigton Lodge No. 251 in the year 1868. Shortly after moving to Syracuse, Nebraska, about 1875, Bro. Parry with others petitioned the Grand Lodge of Nebraska for the organization of a Masonic lodge there. A charter was finally granted to Mt. Morish Lodge No. 57 with Bro. Parry first master. August 29, 1900, 9 Masons met in Bro. Parry’s office and took preliminary steps looking to the organization of a lodge in Moro. These men were Obed Cushman, Geo. Meader, F.D. Nelson, C.E. Deakin, M.H. Poole, J.B. Hosford, S.S. Hays, Robt. Urquhart and John M. Parry. In due time dispensation was granted and the lodge was organized, with Bro. Parry again as Master. A charter finally being granted to Eureca Lodge No. 121 September 9, 1902. Of the nine Masons here and the three borrowed from Taylor Lodge at Wasco, who signed the petition only two survive. These being Bro. Robt. Urquhart of Moro and Bro. S.S. Hays in Portland. Almost two years ago a movement was started to procure and hang a picture of Bro. Parry in the lodge room as a memorial to Bro. Parry’s life as a Mason, and after more or less delay and difficulties these having finally been overcome. Tonight our efforts are rewarded and the picture is hung at the left of the picture of Geo. Washington and above the Masters chair. [Source: Sherman County Observer, 9 January 1931]
  • 1900 Voter’s register – Moro Precinct– Parry, J. M., occupation – butcher, age – 57, nativity – England, naturalization – By virtue of Father’s naturalization – October 21, 1858 New York Supreme court, residence – Lot 2 Blk 2 Moro.

Pike, Benjamin Franklin

  • Benjamin F. Pike, aged 85 years 8 months 26 days, passed away at the home of his son, I.D. Pike, at Grass Valley Friday morning, August 20th. Funeral services will be held at the Grass Valley civic auditorium Sunday at 11 a.m., followed by a G.A.R. service at The Dalles at 3:30 p.m. [Source: Sherman County Observer, 20 August 1926]
  • Benjamin F. Pike, Sherman County Pioneer Passes. Benjamin F. Pike, a retired farmer of Sherman County died at the home of his son, I.D. Pike, in this city, at 2:30 o’clock Friday morning, August 20, 1926, at the age of 85 years, 8 months and 26 days. The funeral services were held Sunday forenoon at 11 o’clock, in the city auditorium, conducted by Rev. Ed C. Cofer of the Baptist church , after which the body was taken to The Dalles where the services at the grave were conducted by members of the Grand Army of the Republic at 3:30 o’clock in the Odd Fellows cemetery. Benjamin F. Pike was born at Newburyport, Mass., November 24, 1840, where he lived until the opening of the Civil War, when he enlisted in Company B, 40th New York Infantry, in June, 1861. Entering the service June 14, he served five years, or until mustered out January 13, 1866, at Richmond, Va. He was captured by the Confederate army at Monterey, Va., and sent to prison at Lynchburg, Va., ___ to Sa __ bury, N.C. _______ and sent to W_____ and exchanged there. [badly faded unable to read] Arriving at San Francisco in 1867, Mr. Pike came to Portland and settled in Linn County. For a while he resided at Umatilla, where he located a saw mill on Butter creek. He then returned to Linn County where he married Miss Mahala G. Denney, sister of Judge O.N. Denney, at Lebanon, May 7, 1871. He and Mrs. Pike lived in Linn county eight years and then became pioneer settlers of the Cold Springs country, near Pendleton, where they made their home for five years, then moving to The Dalles for a residence of two years, Mr Pike engaging in the freighting business. The family then moved to Sherman County in 1883 where they lived until 1907 when they moved to Newberg where Mrs. Pike passed away in January, 1922. Mr Pike came back to Sherman County last fall and lived with his son and family until his death. Mr. Pike was assessor of Sherman County, serving three terms and was joint representative of Sherman, Gilliam and Wheeler counties in the state legislature in 1907. He was Department Commander, GAR for the state of Oregon at one time, holding a number of departmental offices in the state organization, while he was also commander of the GAR post at Wasco. At the time of his death Mr. Pike was a member of the GAR post at Newberg. [Source: Grass Valley Journal, 27 August 1926]
  • In Memory of Mrs. B.F. Pike. Funeral services for Mrs. Mahala G. Denny Pike, a member of the fast thinning ranks of Oregon pioneers who crossed the plains in the fifties, were held Monday afternoon in The Dalles, Rev. H.C. Kohr officiating, interment being in the IOOF Cemetery. Mrs. Pike died January 5th, at Newberg, following a series of paralytic strokes which had left her practically helpless. She is survived by her husband, B.F. Pike, for many years assessor for Sherman County, and one son, I.D. Pike, postmaster at Grass Valley. Mahala G. Denny was born in Morgan County, Ohio, on October 30, 1842. She crossed the plains with her parents and settled in Linn County where Lebanon now stands, where she was educated and where she grew to womanhood. She was married to B.F. Pike in 1871. They lived in Umatilla County seven years, from where they moved to Sherman County, then a part of Wasco County. Here they lived 25 years, during which time they saw the surrounding country develop from a vast area of bunch grass and sage brush to one of the richest agricultural counties of the state. From their home in Sherman County they moved to Newberg in 1908, where Mrs. Pike resided until the time of her death.
  • 1900 Voter’s register – Moro Precinct — Pike, B. F., occupation – farmer, age – 59, nativity – American, residence – Sec10-1S-17E.

Radcliff, William H.

  • 1900 Voter’s register – Wasco Precinct — Radcliffe, W. H., occupation – laborer, age – 64, nativity – American, residence – Wasco, Oregon [spelling of last name as he signed his name].

Richelderfer, Henry

  • 1900 Voter’s register – Wasco Precinct — Richelderfer, H., occupation – farmer, age – 54, nativity – American, residence – Sec 6-2N-17E.

Schaeffer, John Jesse

  • 1900 Voter’s register – Moro Precinct — Schaeffer, J. J., occupation – farmer, age – 55, nativity – American, residence – Sec19-1S-17E.

Franklin H. Smith

  • F.H. Smith’s death was sudden and unexpected on the 8th. He had been complaining but nothing serious was anticipate, although on the 4th, in Wasco, half jokingly, he said to Comrade Pike, “Goodbye, Frank; I never shall see you again.” Wednesday afternoon he laid down on the lounge at home to rest as was his daily custom. Mrs. Smith was busy about the place until 4 o’clock when she found him insensible, at 6 p.m. he passed away without a struggle. He and Mrs. Smith were expecting to go east on a visit soon. [Source: Sherman County Observer, 17 March 1899]
  • In Memory of F.H. Smith. Franklin H. Smith died at his home near Rufus, March 8th, 1899, aged 61 years. Comrade Smith was born in Green County, Pennsylvania in May, 1838, and removed to Iowa with his parents while still a young man. At the outbreak of the rebellion he enrolled with Company C, 8th Iowa Infantry, and served unti the battle of Shiloh, April 6th, ’62, where he received a gunshot wound in the right arm. Being taken a prisoner the wound was not properly attended to and resulted in the arm being almost useless from that time. After his exchange and discharge he returned to his home in Iowa, where he united in marriage, in 1866, with Joana Vaughn, who survives him. He came to the Pacific coast in the ‘70s, and after living a short time in California, and Walla Walla, settled on a homestead near Rufus, in this county, and resided there up to the time of his death. Comrade Smith joined W.T. Sherman Post of the GAR, on its organization, and has been a most zealous member of that order since that time, and held the office of Sr. Vice Commander at the time of his death. He was laid to rest in the Masonic cemetery at Wasco, by the members of his Post, assisted by friends and neighbors. [Source: Sherman County Observer, 17 March 1899]

Smith, John W.

  • 1900 Voter’s register – Grant Prec. — Smith, John W., occupation – merchant, age – 51, nativity – American, residence – Sec 31-3N-17E.

Spoonemore, George W.

  • 1900 Voter’s register – Kent Precinct — Spoonemore, G. W., occupation – farmer, age – 64, nativity – American, residence – Sec 27-4S-17E.

Stanley, Walter S.

  • 1900 Voter’s register – Moro Precinct — Stanley, W., occupation – bookkeeper, age – 61, nativity – American, residence – Moro, Oregon.
  • Former County Treasurer Dies. Captain Walter Stanley, born in Michigan in February, 1839, died at his home at Orchards, near Vancouver, Washington, August 13th, after a prolonged illness. Captain Stanley came to Sherman County as book keeper for Moore Bros., W.H. and H.A., who in the early history of Moro conducted a store where now stands the brick building occupied by the Moro Commercial Company. While acting as book keeper for the mercantile company a bank was formed by the Moore Bros., the first in the county south of Wasco, and the same one that is now known as the W.W. M. Co. Bank at Moro. After the organization of the bank, Mr. Stanley for a while tended the books for both institutions, but the bank grew so rapidly that all his time had to be given to that and he was appointed cashier, the first cashier of a Moro bank. Shortly after this he was appointed county treasurer and was re-elected each term until he resigned a few years ago because of his health. Mr. Stanley was a veteran of the Civil War, had fought the Indians upon the middle west plains after the war, and was a member of two filibustering expeditions to central America, led by General Walker, which nearly involved this country into a war trying to save the members of the party when captured by the enemy. [Source: Sherman County Observer, 22 August 1913]

Stiers, Joseph

  • No obituary found. According to his wife’s obit, he died about 1903.
  • Mrs. Stiers Dies on Christmas Day. Mrs. Margaret Stiers passed away on Christmas day at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Robert Eslinger, west of Grass Valley, at the advanced age of 78 years, 2 months and 14 days. Funeral services were held from the Baptist church at Grass Valley Thursday, under the direction of Crandall Undertaking Company, Rev. W.L. Dillinger, of DeMoss, preaching the sermon. Mrs. Stiers was born in Mayfield, Benton County, Kentucky, October 11th, 1845. At an early age she, with the family, moved to Illinois, where at a later age she married. She then moved to Texas and from there to Missouri, where she lived more than 23 years until she and her husband moved to Sherman county 24 years ago. Since the death of her husband, 20 years ago, she has made her home with her daughter. She is the mother of four children, of whom but one is now living. She was a member of the Christian church for 54 years. During the world war, at the age of 70, she showed her patriotism by knitting 113 pairs of sox for the soldiers. [Source: Sherman County Observer, 28 December 1923]

Thompson, Isaac

  • Following an illness of two and a half months, Isaac Thompson passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Neil McDonald in Hay Canyon, Tuesday morning, 89 years 10 months and 2 days. At the time of his death Mr. Thompson was one of the three surviving veterans of the Civil War residing in Sherman County. He was a member, and at the time of his death, commander of W.T. Sherman Post GAR of Sherman County, Oregon. Funeral services were held at the family home on Wednesday afternoon, Rev. U.C. Smothers of this city, conducting the service under the direction of the Zell funeral home. Interment was in Rose Cemetery in Hay Canyon. Deceased was born in Harrison County, Ohio, on September 20th, 1834. He was united in marriage to Mary A. Easly May 22nd, 1856, who departed this life at Trout Lake, Washington, on March 4th, 1909. Eight children were born to this union, four of whom have passed to the great beyond as follows: Sarah E., Florence E., Richard E., and Vincent G. Surviving children are Elwood, residing at Oregon City; Jess B., residing at Milwaukie, Oregon; Bertha A. McDonald, residing at Moro; Aaron, present address unknown; and 31 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. At the time of the Civil War, the deceased enlisted in Company D, 151st regiment Illinois Infantry, leaving the service at the close of the war. He was converted and joined the Presbyterian church in Illinois and later, when he moved to Oregon in 1896, transferred this membership to Moro Presbyterian church, of which he lived a consistent member until his death. During his last illness of about two and a half months he bore his suffering with Christian fortitude. [Source: Sherman County Observer, 25 July 1924]
  • 1900 Voter’s register – Rutledge Precinct — Thompson, Isaac, occupation – farmer, age – 65, nativity – American, residence – Sec 13-25-17E.

Wheat, Jacob Boone

  • Moro Items. Jacob B. Wheat, a well known pioneer of Sherman County, died at this place on the 16th, after a long illness, and was buried Saturday, December 17th. A large number of friends and neighbors gathered to pay their last sad respects to one who was loved and honored by all who knew him. Mr. Wheat was born in Jefferson County, Indiana, May 1, 1836, being aged 74 years, 7 months and 15 days at the time of his death. He lived in Indiana until 13 years of age when his parents removed to Missouri. In May 1861 he enlisted in Captain Burrows’ home guard company and in October 1862, enlisted in Company K. under Captain Thomas Burgess. He was engaged in the Price raid campaign and in a number of fights until the close of the war. His field of action was confined to Missouri and Arkansas. In September 1855, in Lawrence County, Missouri, Mr. Wheat was married to Charlotte T. Neece, who still survives him. In 1880 he came to Sherman County, (then Wasco County) and in the spring of 1881, located on the farm East of Moro. Besides Mrs. Wheat he is survived by three sons and one daughter, Nathaniel P., of Oakland, Oregon, Edwin B., of Boise, Idaho, Don C., of Moro, and Mrs. William H. Rose, of Roseburg, Oregon. He is survived by one sister, Mrs. Leroy Ayers of Arkansas. Mr. Wheat was always a progressive, public spirited and enterprising. He was a member of the Baptist church, and died as he always lived, a devout and trusting Christian, and we are all aware that a true, noble and good man has gone from our midst. His memory will be held in the most affectionate reverence. The bereaved family has the sympathy of the entire community. [Source: Grass Valley Journal, 23 December 1910 — Place of Burial – Moro IOOF cemetery]
  • Death of Grandpa J.B. Wheat. Grandpa J.B. Wheat died at the home of his son in this city, the night of December 15th, surrounded by his family, the loving and faithful wife of so many years, three sons and one daughter, Mrs. Wm. H. Rose of Jackson County, thus closing a career of usefulness embodying the fullness of a life of nearly 75 years. He had been on the decline for many months on account of a tumor on his neck, and for weeks death has been expected, but with all the attendant pain and anxiety of friends, retained the cheerful attitude of the true and tried Christian, and was conscious to within a few hours of the final summons. The funeral was well attended at Moro M.E. Church, Saturday morning, Rev. Havener officiating. [Source: Sherman County Observer, 23 December 1910]
  • 1900 Voter’s register – Moro Precinct– Wheat, J. B., occupation – farmer, age – 63, nativity – American, residence – Sec 15-1S-17E.

Wilson, George Scott

  • Kent Items. Geo. S. Wilson who received another paralytic stroke last week passed away Sunday night. The funeral was held Tuesday with the largest attendance known in Kent. Interment in the IOOF cemetery.  [Source: Grass Valley Journal, 26 September 1919]
Civil War Veterans’ Schedule 1890 Sherman County, Oregon
Grant Precinct
John K. Stocking Wasco E 165 OH INF 11 Aug 1862 186_wounded
Samuel L. Taylor EmigrantSprings Pvt. 28 IL INF 4 May 186_
Samuel L. Taylor E. Springs Pvt. B 44 IA INF 2 May 1864 15 Sept 1864
Robert Hogan Monkland E 1 OR CAV 26 Feb 1862 7 Apr 1866
John Morrow Grover H 7 IL INF 17 Apr 1861 17 July 1861
Rachel E. Coats, Widow of Joseph S. Carmical Rufus L 124 MO CAV 24 June 1862 4 Feb 1865
Rachel E. Coats, Widow of Jasper Weatherford Rufus MO MILITIA
Franklin H. Smith, gunshot wound Grant C 8 IA INF 21 Aug 1861 17 Sept 1862
Spencer Edwards, gunshot wound Grant D 29 WI INF 20 Aug 1862 22 June 1865
John H. Johnson E. Springs B 130 IL INF 12 Aug 1862
Joshua Doane E. Springs C 119 PA INF 14 Aug 1862 19 June 1865
Nancy E. McCoy, Widow of Lewis G. McCoy Grover E 2 IA INF
John I. West, gunshot wound; Andersonville Wasco A 29 IND INF 16 Aug 1861 8 June 1865
Margaret _. Brock, Widow of Thomas B. Brock K 122 IL INF 9 Aug 1862 15 July 1865
Helen Barnett, widow of Nathaniel Eastwood __ K__ __
Cassius C. Kuney Pvt. G 1 WI INF 3 Sept 1861 2 March 1864
Cassius C. Kuney B 52 WI INF 3 Apr 1865 28 July 1865

Civil War stories
Sherman County: For The Record 
Stories and Records by Local Authors 1983-2015

Volume & Number

#19-1, 2001

Civil War Veterans in Sherman County by Sherry Kaseberg

If I owned Texas and Hell, I would rent out Texas and live in Hell. ― Philip Henry Sheridan