This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: EHRCK, WILKKINS, EGGERT, HENDEN, HENDON, McFARLANDMcFARLANE Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/nZB.2ACE/307 Message Board Post: The Hood River News, Hood River, OR., April 2, 1913, page 3 WILLIAM EHRCK William Ehrck, aged 68 years, pioneer and wealthy apple grower of Hood River, died in Portland, Friday, March 28. The remains were shipped to Hood River for interment. Mr. Ehrck was born in Germany and emigrated to America in 1872 and settled in Illinois where he spent several years farming. He moved to Oregon and came to Hood River in the year 1879 and took up a homestead at what is now known as Odell and engaged in general farming and later entered the fruit growing industry and by thrift and economy forged rapidly to the front and soon became one of the lauders of the valley. The deceased was one of Hood River’s most honored and respected citizens. Mrs. Ehrck died about two years ago and there was left of the union five children: Mrs. J.H. Eggert, W.C. and O.H. Ehrck of Hood River, Mrs. J.G. Heudon and Mrs. James McFarland of Portland. Mr. Ehrck was one of the organizers of the National Apple Company and a heavy stockholder in the concern. He was a member of the Lutheran church and lodge of Elks. The funeral services were held at the Pine Grove church Sunday, under the auspices of the Elks lodge. Rev. Troy Shelley officiated at the services. Interment was made in Pine Grove cemetery. ----------------------------------------- The Hood River Glacier, Hood River, OR., April 3, 1913, page 5 WILLIAM EHRCK William Ehrck was born in Hamburg, Germany, Jan. 1, 1845. He was married to Carolina Wilkins in 1871. He, with his wife, came to America in 1872, locating in Chicago, Ill., where they remained two years, going then to Clinton, Ia. Five years later they came to Oregon, stopping for the first year on the Chas. Ehrck place now leased by J.H. Eggert. In 1880 they moved to their homestead, 40 acres of which with orchard and good building, remains in Mr. Ehrck’s name at the present time. Beginning with July, 1907, Mr. and Mrs. Ehrck enjoyed a well earned vacation, spending several months visiting relatives and friends in several states in this country and in Germany. They returned home in January and remained for about two years, then went to Portland where they resided a few months, when they purchased property in Hood River and made this their home until Mrs. Ehrck’s death in April, 1912. Since that time Mr. Ehrck has stopped with his children, sometimes in Odell at other times in Portland. Several months ago he went to Portland for a visit with his daughters, but failed in health and on Friday, March 28, at 11:20 a.m., he passed away at the home of his daughter, Emma. Skilled physicians and loving hands did all that could be done but disease could not be stayed and his children this relatives and friends grieve. Five children, Mrs. J.H. Eggert, of Odell, Mrs. D. Henden and Mrs. James McFarlane, Portland, and O.H. and W.C. Ehrck, of Odell, six grandchildren, Elmer, Louis, and Fred Eggert and Thelma and Lloyd Ehrck, of Odell and Floyd McCoy, of Portland, and other relatives survive him and today we extend sincere sympathy at this time. William Ehrck was one of the pioneers of Hood River valley and he with his family carved from the forest a competence. In the earlier days years he worked at his trade as plasterer and mason, as well as at clearing the land from which he would later harvest fruit and other products and he shared in the privations of the earlier settlers in this valley that is now a valley of beautiful homes. He was ever honest and industrious and was respected by those who knew him. At that time of his death he was a stockholder in the First National bank of Hood River and in the Home Telephone Co. He was interested in the National Apple Co. and in the Gibraltar rock quarry. His funeral was held Sunday, March 30, from the Pine Grove church, interment in Pine Grove cemetery. A peculiar coincidence was that both Mr. and Mrs. Ehrck’s funerals were held the Sunday following Easter, Mrs. Ehrck’s in April last year, and Mr. Ehrck’s in March of this year. The Elks, of which order Mr. Ehrck was a member, attended the funeral in a body and had a part in the service. There were many old friends as well as later ones who came, thus giving evidence of their esteem. Rev. Troy Shelley and M.D. Odell officiated and Mr. and Mrs. Guy Smith sang tenderly and with feeling. There were many beautiful floral pieces in white and colors, carrying with them messages of love from relatives, friends and brother Elks. -------------------------------------- The Hood River Glacier, Hood River, OR., April 3, 1913, page 5 CARD OF THANKS We desire to express our sincere thanks to our friends of this community and to the members of The Dalles Lodge of Elks, who by their kind expressions of sympathy aided us in our time of bereavement at the time of the death of our father. The Children of William Ehrck. ----------------------------------------- ELKS HONOR THEIR DEPARTED BROTHER Despite the rain storm that prevailed Sunday about fifty members of the B.P.O.E formed a funeral cortege here and proceeded in automobiles to Pine Grove to pay the last tribute to William Ehrck, a pioneer of the valley who recently retired from active orchard work and was residing in Portland with his daughters. Mr. Ehrck was a member of The Dalles Lodge 303, and a large number of the members of the neighboring city were here for the funeral services. Mr. Ehrck died in Portland last Friday shortly before noon. He had been in poor health for more than a year and had been confined to a hospital in Portland. The funeral services were conducted at the Pine Grove church, after which interment followed at the Pine Grove cemetery. Mr. Ehrck left surviving five children -- Mrs. Emma Hendon and Mrs. Mary McFarlana, of Portland; and Mrs. J.H. Eggert, O.H. and W.C. Ehrck, of this valley. Members of the Elks lodge from The Dalles attending the funeral were: T.A. Hudson, T.W. Hill, M.D. Rorick, Geo. Ferguson, H.S. Harkness, G.W. Grabler, Leo McInery, Gus Pearson, C.F. Stubling and W.C. Fredden. This was posted for reference only. I am not related to, nor am I researching this family. If you have additional information about the person or event listed above, please post it as reply to this message.