Obit - Miami News Record, Miami, OK - November 11, 1976
JAMES PLUMMER
James Ralph Plummer, 65, of 702 West A Picher died at 10:10 p.m. Wednesday (11-10-1976) at a Miami Nursing Home.
Born June 17, 1911 at Fayetteville, Ark., he had lived most of his life in Picher. He was a retired truck driver.
Mr. Plummer is survived by his wife, Mrs. Faye Plummer, of the home; four sons, Daniel Plummer, White Salmon, WA; Arthur Plummer, Smelterville, Idaho; Gary Plummer, no address and Fred Plummer of the home; six daughters, Mrs. Joyce LeTourneau and Mrs. Jean Frethim, both of Aberdeen, WA; Mrs. Irene Lunceford, Kellogg, Idaho; Charlonne (sic Charlene) Head, Searcy, Ark; Mrs. Donna Lunsford, Fontana, CA; Mrs. Marsha Lingard, no address; two sisters, Mrs. Lizzie King and Mrs. Mary Crabtree, both of Prairie Grove, Ark., 8 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.
Services will be announced by Paul Thomas Funeral Home, Picher.
***Sent to me by Aunt Roxie***
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
Ottowa Co., OK Census from 1930
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Here is an image of the census that has James Ralph Plummer and his mom Dollie. She was a widow by 1930. J. Ralph Plummer is Grandpa Dan Plummer's dad. One picture is the whole thing, the other is zoomed in to their line. Raymond Plummer on the line above is Great Grandpa Ralph's brother (thanks Aunt Roxie!).
Monday, April 12, 2010
Eunice Plummer death notice
Eunice Plummer was my great aunt, Grandpa Dan Plummer's baby sister. Clipping provided by Michelle G, taken from the Miami News-Record, published on January 4, 1938.
Alice K. (Connor) O'Dell death notice
Death notice for Alice O'Dell, provided by Michelle G, taken from the Miami News in Miami, OK published on December 8, 1939. Alice O'Dell was my g-g-grandma (Dan Plummer's grandma).
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Photo of Frank O'Dell
Frank O'Dell is my g-g-grandpa: my mom's dad's mom's dad. That is, Frank is the father of Faye O'Dell, who is the mother of Dan Plummer, who is the father of my mom Rochelle Faye. :)
Saturday, April 10, 2010
White Salmon History from The Enterprise
BINGEN-WHITE SALMON HISTORY HAS COLORFUL PIONEER BACKGROUND
Two of the first white men to visit the area now known as Bingen and White Salmon were the famous explorers, Lewis and Clark. They were impressed by the great number of white-fleshed salmon which they saw being caught and dried by the Indians at the mouth of a nearby river and so they named the river "White Salmon."
When the first white settlers began trickling into the Columbia Gorge area in the 1850's, the Columbia River was only about half the size it is now and it remained that size until the completion of the Bonneville Dam in the 1930's.
Early settlers in this area were the Jewett's and the Suksdorfs who bought land here in the 1870's.
The Suksdorfs were of solid German stock and were determined to preserve their German heritage here on the banks of the Columbia River which reminded them so much of their native Rhineland.
The Jewett family settled in the now White Salmon area and a feud began between the two families which, some say, started the over location of the post office.
The two families disagreed on almost every issue and so the area became two separate towns with the Suksdorfs settling in Bingen (which they named after Bingen on the Rhine in Germany) and the Jewetts, up on the bluff, retaining the name White Salmon for their town.
The bitterness remained for many years and a marker is left in the name of the railroad station. Since neither town would accede in the matter, it became the only railroad station in the United States to bear the name of two towns - "Bingen-White Salmon."
Dairying and stock raising on a small scale were the first sources of livelihood in the area. The largest early day dairy was owned by the Suksdorf brothers who pastured herds of dairy cattle near the Camas Prairie. A.H. Jewett established the first nursery in the area and sold many trees to the new settlers as they came in, thus the start of numerous orchards.
Travel to and from the White Salmon-Bingen area was almost completely by river boats until the railroad was completed. The boats docked 200 yards west of (where the) White Salmon-Hood River Bridge is now and anyone wishing to go to White Salmon walked a flight of 625 steps to the top of the hill. Dock road was used primarily for horse drawn wagons.
At one time Sam Hill tried to buy the Jewett land on which to build his mansion. The agreement was written up and signed, but when Sam Hill proposed a drink to celebrate his new purchase, the agreement dissolved as Mrs. Jewett strongly opposed drinking. He was to have paid $80,000 for the land on which could have been build the now famous Maryhill Museum.
In the 1890s, White Salmon merchants were active in buying and selling wood. This activity brought more money into the communities. Woodcutters received $1.25 per cord for cutting and the same price for delivering the wood to the dock on the river.
In 1910 many people of means bought acreage in the area and with them came the desire for better educational facilities and cultural activities. In 1912 the Leo Theatre was built where Sampson Electric Company is now. At that time silent pictures were in vogue.
For many years White Salmon was a flourishing resort area. Vacationists were coming in from the entire Willamette Valley. The Eyrie, then a well-known resort, was built by C.W.J. Reckers. At this time vacationists could leave White Salmon by horse-drawn vehicles for the Guler hotel in the Trout Lake Valley. About 1905 the Washington Hotel was completed in White Salmon and did a flourishing business for about ten years. The Washington Hotel was built by J.W. Lauterbach and stood where the grade school on Main street is now.
The first road to the Portland-Vancouver area was completed on this side of the river in 1924. It was possible to make the trip before this on a roundabout trail, which took much longer.
The Bingen-White Salmon area is once again undergoing a major change. Project Proud is giving a fresh new look to the towns and with the unification of many of their facilities the circle may be closing to unite the two towns in a way that even the Suksdorfs and Jewetts would approve.
Two of the first white men to visit the area now known as Bingen and White Salmon were the famous explorers, Lewis and Clark. They were impressed by the great number of white-fleshed salmon which they saw being caught and dried by the Indians at the mouth of a nearby river and so they named the river "White Salmon."
When the first white settlers began trickling into the Columbia Gorge area in the 1850's, the Columbia River was only about half the size it is now and it remained that size until the completion of the Bonneville Dam in the 1930's.
Early settlers in this area were the Jewett's and the Suksdorfs who bought land here in the 1870's.
The Suksdorfs were of solid German stock and were determined to preserve their German heritage here on the banks of the Columbia River which reminded them so much of their native Rhineland.
The Jewett family settled in the now White Salmon area and a feud began between the two families which, some say, started the over location of the post office.
The two families disagreed on almost every issue and so the area became two separate towns with the Suksdorfs settling in Bingen (which they named after Bingen on the Rhine in Germany) and the Jewetts, up on the bluff, retaining the name White Salmon for their town.
The bitterness remained for many years and a marker is left in the name of the railroad station. Since neither town would accede in the matter, it became the only railroad station in the United States to bear the name of two towns - "Bingen-White Salmon."
Dairying and stock raising on a small scale were the first sources of livelihood in the area. The largest early day dairy was owned by the Suksdorf brothers who pastured herds of dairy cattle near the Camas Prairie. A.H. Jewett established the first nursery in the area and sold many trees to the new settlers as they came in, thus the start of numerous orchards.
Travel to and from the White Salmon-Bingen area was almost completely by river boats until the railroad was completed. The boats docked 200 yards west of (where the) White Salmon-Hood River Bridge is now and anyone wishing to go to White Salmon walked a flight of 625 steps to the top of the hill. Dock road was used primarily for horse drawn wagons.
At one time Sam Hill tried to buy the Jewett land on which to build his mansion. The agreement was written up and signed, but when Sam Hill proposed a drink to celebrate his new purchase, the agreement dissolved as Mrs. Jewett strongly opposed drinking. He was to have paid $80,000 for the land on which could have been build the now famous Maryhill Museum.
In the 1890s, White Salmon merchants were active in buying and selling wood. This activity brought more money into the communities. Woodcutters received $1.25 per cord for cutting and the same price for delivering the wood to the dock on the river.
In 1910 many people of means bought acreage in the area and with them came the desire for better educational facilities and cultural activities. In 1912 the Leo Theatre was built where Sampson Electric Company is now. At that time silent pictures were in vogue.
For many years White Salmon was a flourishing resort area. Vacationists were coming in from the entire Willamette Valley. The Eyrie, then a well-known resort, was built by C.W.J. Reckers. At this time vacationists could leave White Salmon by horse-drawn vehicles for the Guler hotel in the Trout Lake Valley. About 1905 the Washington Hotel was completed in White Salmon and did a flourishing business for about ten years. The Washington Hotel was built by J.W. Lauterbach and stood where the grade school on Main street is now.
The first road to the Portland-Vancouver area was completed on this side of the river in 1924. It was possible to make the trip before this on a roundabout trail, which took much longer.
The Bingen-White Salmon area is once again undergoing a major change. Project Proud is giving a fresh new look to the towns and with the unification of many of their facilities the circle may be closing to unite the two towns in a way that even the Suksdorfs and Jewetts would approve.
Aunt Norma's Obituary
The Mt. Adams Sun, Bingen, Wa., February 15, 1968, page 3
NORMA J. BILLETTE SERVICES SATURDAY
Norma Jean Billette, nearly 21, died February 12 at University Hospital in Seattle of a lingering illness. Funeral services will be Saturday, Feb. 17, at Gardner's Chapel in White Salmon, with the Rev. Melvin J. Patton officiating. Burial will be in Goodwill Cemetery at White Salmon.
Survivors include her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Leon L. Billette; three sisters, Susan, Bonnie and Janice, three brothers, Joseph, Jeffrey and Michael, her grandfather, Andrew Shipman and grandmother, Annette Billette, both of Elk River, Minn.
Miss Billette was born Feb. 23, 1947 in Minneapolis, Minn.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Enterprise, White Salmon, WA., February 15, 1968, page 1
MISS BILLETTE'S SERVICES TO BE HELD SAT. FEB. 17TH
Norma Jean Billette who was born Feb. 23, 1947 in Minneapolis, Minn., died Feb. 12 at the University Hospital in Seattle, Wash.
She is survived by: her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Leon L. Billette of Snowden Roard in White Salmon; 3 sisters, Susan, Bonnie and Janice, 3 brothers, Joseph, Jeffrey, and Michael, a grandfather, Andrew Shipman of Elk River, Minn.; and a grandmother, Mrs. Annette Billette, also of Elk River.
Services will be held Saturday morning, Feb. 17, at Gardner's Chapel in White Salmon with Rev. Melvin J. Patton of Hood River officiating. Interment will be at the White Salmon Cemetery.
NORMA J. BILLETTE SERVICES SATURDAY
Norma Jean Billette, nearly 21, died February 12 at University Hospital in Seattle of a lingering illness. Funeral services will be Saturday, Feb. 17, at Gardner's Chapel in White Salmon, with the Rev. Melvin J. Patton officiating. Burial will be in Goodwill Cemetery at White Salmon.
Survivors include her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Leon L. Billette; three sisters, Susan, Bonnie and Janice, three brothers, Joseph, Jeffrey and Michael, her grandfather, Andrew Shipman and grandmother, Annette Billette, both of Elk River, Minn.
Miss Billette was born Feb. 23, 1947 in Minneapolis, Minn.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Enterprise, White Salmon, WA., February 15, 1968, page 1
MISS BILLETTE'S SERVICES TO BE HELD SAT. FEB. 17TH
Norma Jean Billette who was born Feb. 23, 1947 in Minneapolis, Minn., died Feb. 12 at the University Hospital in Seattle, Wash.
She is survived by: her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Leon L. Billette of Snowden Roard in White Salmon; 3 sisters, Susan, Bonnie and Janice, 3 brothers, Joseph, Jeffrey, and Michael, a grandfather, Andrew Shipman of Elk River, Minn.; and a grandmother, Mrs. Annette Billette, also of Elk River.
Services will be held Saturday morning, Feb. 17, at Gardner's Chapel in White Salmon with Rev. Melvin J. Patton of Hood River officiating. Interment will be at the White Salmon Cemetery.
Elmer Billette's Obit-he was working with Gpa Billette
The Mt. Adams Sun, Bingen, WA., November 29, 1951, page 1
LOGGER KILLED THANKSGIVING
While attempting to winch a wood log last Thanksgiving morning, Elmer Billette, 24, Snowden logger, met instant death. Billette's head was crushed by a falling boom pole which dropped when the cable snapped. The deceased was apparently struck from behind and had no warning of the impending danger.
Leon Billette, a cousin, witnessed the accident which occurred about 10:30 a.m. Gardner's ambulance answered the emergency call to the scene of the fatality on the Bristol road about three miles south of Laws Corner.
Ralph Walker, W.S. chief of police, investigated the accident and Justice of the Peace Van Gladden served as coroner. Billette is survived by a wife and two small children. Funeral services were held at W.S.'s SDA church on Tuesday. The obituary appears elsewhere.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Mt. Adams Sun, Bingen, WA., November 29, 1951, page 4
ELMER NEIL BILLETTE
Elmer Neil Billette, son of Mack and Ina Billette, was born at Mt. Brook January 31, 1925. He began school at Mt. Brook and two years of his life were spent in Bingen and one at Laurel. In the Spring of 1937 the family moved back to Mt. Brook and he started high school, later leaving school to work with his father.
On January 15th, 1944 he was inducted into the army where he served three years. On May 3, 1946 he was given an honorable discharge. May 15th, 1947 he was united in marriage to Donna Jean Keehauver at Arcata, California. The greater part of their married life was spent at Mt. Brook. At different times they lived at Arcata, California, Bingen, Wash.; and Craig, Colorado. During this time logging was his occupation.
Elmer passed away Nov. 22, 1951 from injuries received in a logging accident and at the age of 26 years.
He is survived by his wife, Donna and their two children; Sandra Jean and Debra Eileen; his parents, Mr. And Mrs. Mack Billette of Mt. Brook; two sisters, Mrs. Kenneth Lamb and Mrs. Ray Walker of White Salmon; two brothers, Joseph of the U.S. Army and Robert of the Navy; and also his grandparents, Mr. And Mrs. James Dawson of The Dalles, Ore.
He was laid to rest with military honors in the Oddfellows cemetery at White Salmon with VFW and Legion posts officiating. Funeral services were conducted in the Seventh Day Adventist Church, White Salmon, with Rev. Ring officiating, November 27 at 2 p.m.
LOGGER KILLED THANKSGIVING
While attempting to winch a wood log last Thanksgiving morning, Elmer Billette, 24, Snowden logger, met instant death. Billette's head was crushed by a falling boom pole which dropped when the cable snapped. The deceased was apparently struck from behind and had no warning of the impending danger.
Leon Billette, a cousin, witnessed the accident which occurred about 10:30 a.m. Gardner's ambulance answered the emergency call to the scene of the fatality on the Bristol road about three miles south of Laws Corner.
Ralph Walker, W.S. chief of police, investigated the accident and Justice of the Peace Van Gladden served as coroner. Billette is survived by a wife and two small children. Funeral services were held at W.S.'s SDA church on Tuesday. The obituary appears elsewhere.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Mt. Adams Sun, Bingen, WA., November 29, 1951, page 4
ELMER NEIL BILLETTE
Elmer Neil Billette, son of Mack and Ina Billette, was born at Mt. Brook January 31, 1925. He began school at Mt. Brook and two years of his life were spent in Bingen and one at Laurel. In the Spring of 1937 the family moved back to Mt. Brook and he started high school, later leaving school to work with his father.
On January 15th, 1944 he was inducted into the army where he served three years. On May 3, 1946 he was given an honorable discharge. May 15th, 1947 he was united in marriage to Donna Jean Keehauver at Arcata, California. The greater part of their married life was spent at Mt. Brook. At different times they lived at Arcata, California, Bingen, Wash.; and Craig, Colorado. During this time logging was his occupation.
Elmer passed away Nov. 22, 1951 from injuries received in a logging accident and at the age of 26 years.
He is survived by his wife, Donna and their two children; Sandra Jean and Debra Eileen; his parents, Mr. And Mrs. Mack Billette of Mt. Brook; two sisters, Mrs. Kenneth Lamb and Mrs. Ray Walker of White Salmon; two brothers, Joseph of the U.S. Army and Robert of the Navy; and also his grandparents, Mr. And Mrs. James Dawson of The Dalles, Ore.
He was laid to rest with military honors in the Oddfellows cemetery at White Salmon with VFW and Legion posts officiating. Funeral services were conducted in the Seventh Day Adventist Church, White Salmon, with Rev. Ring officiating, November 27 at 2 p.m.
Uncle Mack's Obit from the Enterprise
The Enterprise, White Salmon, WA., March 26, 1970, page 1
BILLETTE RITES HELD ON TUESDAY
Mack Billette was born at Albertville, Minnesota on April 22, 1892, the son of Mary and Toussaint Billette. He was the last of a family of six children, having three brothers and two sisters. He passed away March 21st at the Hood River Convalescent Center.
He came west in 1920 after homesteading three or four years in Alberta, Canada. On June 20, 1921 he was united in marriage to Ina Dawson. To this union was born two daughters and three sons.
From 1925 until his retirement he was a logger and sawmill man in this area. He was baptized into the Seventh Day Adventist Church in 1967.
Surviving him is his wife, Ina P. Billette of White Salmon; two daughters: Lucille Walker of White Salmon, Celia Lamb of The Dalles, Oregon, and one son, Joseph Billette. Two other sons, Elmer and Robert Lee Billette, preceded him in death.
Funeral Services were held at Gardner's Funeral Home on Tuesday, March 24th, at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor William W. Ring and Pastor Elwood Starr officiating. Interment was in the White Salmon Cemetery.
BILLETTE RITES HELD ON TUESDAY
Mack Billette was born at Albertville, Minnesota on April 22, 1892, the son of Mary and Toussaint Billette. He was the last of a family of six children, having three brothers and two sisters. He passed away March 21st at the Hood River Convalescent Center.
He came west in 1920 after homesteading three or four years in Alberta, Canada. On June 20, 1921 he was united in marriage to Ina Dawson. To this union was born two daughters and three sons.
From 1925 until his retirement he was a logger and sawmill man in this area. He was baptized into the Seventh Day Adventist Church in 1967.
Surviving him is his wife, Ina P. Billette of White Salmon; two daughters: Lucille Walker of White Salmon, Celia Lamb of The Dalles, Oregon, and one son, Joseph Billette. Two other sons, Elmer and Robert Lee Billette, preceded him in death.
Funeral Services were held at Gardner's Funeral Home on Tuesday, March 24th, at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor William W. Ring and Pastor Elwood Starr officiating. Interment was in the White Salmon Cemetery.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)