The week of September 11th through the 16th the Sweet Home Genealogical Society will be celebrating Genealogy Week by extending the hours at the Genealogical Library. We will be open and presenting educational programs with beginning and intermediate classes. Learn how to use our facility to search vital records, census documents and land records by using computers, microfilm/microfiche readers and printers. Our ever growing library of research books covers many states. Through the use of these research tools, forms and charts you will be able to learn how to organize your search for those family roots. Trained library volunteers will be available to assist patrons with research problems. For additional information call our Library at 367-5034 or Richard Lillich at 367-4970 or our Librarian, Carla Healy at 367-5646. Extended hours for this week only. Sun. and Mon. - Closed Tues. and Fri. - 10-5 Wed. and Thurs. - 10-8 Sat. - 10-3 Regular hours Tues., Wed. & Sat. - 10-3 Thurs. - 2-8

Dear Sharon: I checked many sources in our local genealogy library with pretty much zero results. I checked an 1860 and 1870 Census Index for the State of Oregon. I found a James Strong in Marion Co. in 1860 and in Multnomah Co. in 1870. 1860 Marion Co. Oregon Strong, James 24 IL farmer living with Cone, O.H. 29 m IN farmer Margt.J. (Strong) 19 f IL George 6 m OR Josephine 3 f OR I checked marriages for James Strong and Laura Ann Fletcher in the following counties: Linn, Multnomah, Marion, Clackamas, Benton and Polk. No marriage that matched. When I searched Marion County censuses for 1870 and 1880, I found a number of Cone families located in Butteville. I have a friend who has a listing for the cemetery at Butteville. I will check with her on the Cones, Fletchers and Strongs if you think this might be a possibility. Did your family go to eastern Washington to get free land in the 1860s as did many of the pioneers of the Willamette Valley? Sorry that I couldn't help more. It appears that your Strong family was probably just passing through. Pat

Hello List Members, This is my first query on your list. I am looking forward to working with you. My first query is concerning the parents of Sarah "Sadie" STRONG who was born in Albany, Oregon on December 12, 1864. Her father was James Strong and her mother was Laura Ann Fletcher. Originally, the Strong family was from Indiana. It appears that they then came to Champaign County, Illinois in 1832-33. The 1850 Census showed them in Illinois. At some point, before Sarah's birth in 1864 they moved to Albany, Oregon. The other children of James Strong and Laura Ann Fletcher were Emma, James and Mary. Any assistance you might have would be greatly appreciated. Sharon

Please excuse one small error in my previous message: Great-great-grandparents were Bluford and Martha Marks, not Bluford and Sarah. Marilyn Schwartz

My sisters and I just had such a wonderful 2-day jaunt to Oregon in quest of our NOBLE and MARKS heritage, I'd love to share it. I know I have been in touch with many of you in search of my family, so some of this information is a repeat. I hope I don't bore you too badly. We found the donation land claim of our great-great-grandparents, William Sherman Noble and Sarah Noble, who crossed the Oregon Trail from Ohio (via Iowa) in 1850. It is such a gorgeous piece of property in the Willamette Valley -- mostly flat, rich farmland with gentle, rolling hills around, and the Cascade Mountains majestically rising to the east. The Santiam River runs nearby, and the Old Santiam Wagon Road also passes very near. "Noble Slough" runs through the property. They must have felt they'd arrived in heaven when they got there! We found the Liberty/Nye cemetery where William was buried, though not his grave. Lots of wonderful old graves of Oregon Trail pioneers, however, which were fascinating. We also found the DLC of our great-great-grandparents Bluford and Sarah Marks, who crossed the trail from Missouri in 1853 with a large group of Marks relatives. Their claim is across the Santiam River from the Nobles' claim, on a high ridge (Marks Ridge) overlooking the valley and the city of Sweet Home. What a breath-taking view! We visited the Lebanon Library, and found some documentation of our ancestors. Many, many thanks to Jane Hutchings for her help! The most moving part of the trip was at the grave of our great-grandmother, Charity Noble Marks, wife of James P. Marks and mother of our grandfather, George Alfred Marks. Charity was buried at the top of the Santiam Pass with her infant child, beside the Old Santiam Wagon Road, where they died in 1875. It is in the Willamette National Forest, near Fish Lake campground. We walked a length of the old road to get to the grave, with wagon ruts to remind us of its history and towering evergreens making the forest almost dark. I pondered how Charity must have felt, only 19 years old, going into labor in such a beautiful, lonely place, with snow falling around her and closing her in. At the grave we met a group of hikers on a 4-day "Living History" trek, and the teenage daughter of one of the rangers presented a monologue, in costume, of the events of that sad day. The whole group appeared touched by Charity's story. Several rangers were there, and expressed gratefulness that we had come. They seemed to have some emotional attachment to Charity and her baby, and may have felt some comfort to think that after 125 years of being tended faithfully by strangers, her descendants had found her and come to visit, and even mourn. My two sisters and two cousins joined me on the trip, and one cousin brought an old Bible that I had never seen, with family names inscribed. A note in it said it had come over the Oregon Trail to Oregon. Pages were missing, so we weren't sure which side of the family it came from, but it had Noble and Marks names and dates written in it. What a treasure! A team of high school students was at the grave, working on a short PBS program called "Through Their Eyes," focusing on a young person's view of Oregon history. They interviewed us, and may include Charity's story in their film. Our next step will be to get to eastern Oregon (Crook County), where the Noble and Marks families moved around 1870. I believe other descendants of William and Sarah Noble are still there. I'd love to find relatives with some photos! It amazes me that in March we knew no more than my grandfather's name and that he was born in the Willamette Valley, and now we know so much about our ancestors! It makes history to so personal. We owe a debt of gratitude to many on these lists who helped us find our roots. Thank-you! I know this may not be interesting to everyone, but I'm just so excited about what we're finding, it's fun to share it. Thanks for your patience. Marilyn Schwartz Chelan, WA

>From: [email protected] >Subject: LGS Sept. meeting > >Hi, this is to call your attention to the fact that the Sept. 2, 2000 >meeting of Linn Genealogical Society will be held at the Sweet Home >Genealogical Library in Sweet Home at 12 noon. Directions will be in the >newsletter. If you have any concerns, please contact me. Linda Ellsworth, >vice-president, [email protected] > >Sweet Home Genealogical Library >Mealey Building >1223 Kalmia Street

Hi, I have inherited my grandmothers trunk. It was FULL of wonderful photos, among them were two photos of Elmer and Minerva Fitzgerald of Lebanon. It is abt. 1919. They took care of Wilma and Ardith Post at the time of their Mother's death. There was also a photo of a Mrs. Moss taken abt. the same time. It says she cared for Wilma And Ardith, Lebanon, Or. If anyone is interested in these or has an idea of what I should od with them please email [email protected] I really want to know these are getting into the proper hands. Ahealy

>We would also like to visit the general area where our great-great >grandparents, William & Sarah Noble and Bluford & Martha Marks, >established Donation Land Claims. The claims are on the northwest >side of Sweet Home, in the vicinity of Marks Ridge. I've been told >maps exist that show exactly where the land claims were. Does >anyone know where we can get such a map? I would recommend a Metzger's map of the area, often available at sporting goods stores. Linn County offices should also be able to help. >We are told William Noble is buried in Liberty/Nye Cemetery. Does >anyone know where that is? Could you give us directions? We've >never been to the area before, so don't know our way around. Checking USGS's Geographic Information Names Server (GNIS) at http://mapping.usgs.gov/www/gnis/gnisform.html--an invaluable resource online--I find that Liberty Cemetery is located as follows: Feature Name St County Type Latitude Longitude 7.5' x 7.5' Map ------------------- -- -------------- ------ -------- --------- --------------- Liberty Cemetery OR Linn cemete 442450N 1224618W Waterloo This will also allow you to plot maps showing the location (though not really useful for driving). There is also a Nye cemetery in Jackson County about 75 miles northeast of Medford near Shady Cove, but given its distance, you might check Liberty first. This lat/long location is directly NW of Sweet Home. You can find it on the Waterloo USGS quad map, which is available from many sources. My job allows access to these maps; if your trip is at least a few days away, I could probably mail you a photocopy of the portion of the map showing the cemetery. E-mail me privately. -- Mr. Cory C. Engel Engelhouse Graphics http://www.engelhouse.net/engelhouse/

My sisters and I are making a quick two-day "family history" trip to the Sweet Home area, from Washington. Central to our plan is to visit the grave of our great-grandmother, Charity Ann (Noble) Marks, who died and is buried on Santiam Pass. We would also like to visit the general area where our great-great grandparents, William & Sarah Noble and Bluford & Martha Marks, established Donation Land Claims. The claims are on the northwest side of Sweet Home, in the vicinity of Marks Ridge. I've been told maps exist that show exactly where the land claims were. Does anyone know where we can get such a map? We are told William Noble is buried in Liberty/Nye Cemetery. Does anyone know where that is? Could you give us directions? We've never been to the area before, so don't know our way around. Thanks. Marilyn Schwartz Chelan, WA

Lebanon Express 2 April 1930 MRS. MAUD M. BOLF funeral services were held in St. Edward's church at 2 PM Tuesday March 25, for Mrs. Maude M. Bolf, 87 who died at the home east of town of her son, Paul Bolf, Monday morning. Rev. J.J. Mitchell, pastor of the church, preached the funeral sermon. Burial was made in the IOOF cemetery. Pall bearers were George Gumm, B. ??, ??, ??, George Smith and John McGowan. Mrs. Bolf, who was known in her girlhood as Magdalena Fojtefek, was born in Moravia, January 15, 1843. She came to America 42 years ago, first settling in Texas. In 1920 she moved to Oregon where she had made her home since. She was a devout woman and much interested in take welfare of the church of her choice. The survivors are her son, Paul Bolf, eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren

Lebanon Express 2 April 1930 WILLIAM W. FRONK William W. Fronk was born at Sand Ridge, Linn County, Oregon, July 17 1863, died at Vancouver, Wash. March 24, 1930, aged 66 years, 8 months and 7 days. Mr. Fronk was a member of a well known and highly respected pioneer family, his parents, John W. and Sarah J. Fronk, having crossed the plains to Oregon in the year 1852. He spent the greater part of his life in and near Lebanon and had many friends in this section. His health failed several years ago and for the past four years he made his home at the (unreadable) home at Vancouver Wash. He had long been a member of the Lebanon lodge of Knights of Pythias. The funeral was held at the Presbyterian Church in Lebanon at 1 Thursday afternoon, the sermon being given by the pastor, Rev. Byron W. Travis. Two solos were sung by Mrs. L.C. Lowe. The floral offerings were very beautiful. The rites at the graveside were conducted by the Knights of Pythias, with a number of the members in attendance. The pall bearers were members of the fraternity. The deceased is survived by a sister, Mrs. B. F. Simons of Tucson, Arizona, and a brother, John H. Fronk of Seattle, both of whom were present at the funeral.

Lebanon Express September 26, 1916 MRS. SARAH J. FRONK PASSED AWAY SUNDAY Had been a Resident of Lebanon for Many Years Mrs. Sarah Jane Fronk passed way Sunday, September 24, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. E.E. Parr, at Crabtree, aged 78 years, 2 months and 28 days. Deceased had been a failing in health for about two years, and had been seriously ill for the pat few months. She was born at Burlington, Iowa June 26, 1838, and grew to womanhood in that state. She came to Oregon form that state in 1860, locating in Sand Ridge section, near Lebanon. On May 9, 1861, she was united in marriage to John W. Fronk, at Sand Ridge, and with the exception of five years spent in Washington she continued to reside in the vicinity of Lebanon until her death. Mr. Fronk passed away on March 3, 1883. Eight children were born to them, five daughters and three sons. Two of the daughters have died one, Mrs. J. W. Burkhart, passing away a few months ago and the other died in infancy. The living children are; J.D. and Wm. Fronk and Mrs. B. F. Simons of Lebanon, Mrs. E.E. Parr of Crabtree, J. H. Fronk of Seattle, and Mrs. Geo W. Wyer of Los Molinos, Calif. Mrs. Wyer has been here for the past few months and J. H. Fronk came yesterday. She united with the Christian Church in 1898 and was splendid woman, loved by her children and esteemed by her friends. Funeral services were conducted in the Christian chrch this afternoon at 2:30 by the pastor, Rev. Williams, after which the remains were laid to rest in the Masonic cemetery.

Sophomore Roll Call from photograph: Maxine Bilyeu Joyce Drennen Evelyn Maine Eva Weinberg Lloyd Slover Lowell Myers Vernon Morgan Paul Sweeney Harold Hoagland Warren Costello George Rerucha Mr. Winters (teacher) Albert Trunkenbolz There is no photograph of the Freshman class but does give Class Officers: President, Ernie Shradle Vice President, Virginia Metcalfe Secretary, Edith Nadvornik Tresurer, Verl Sims Council Mem. Betty Railsback Serg-at-arms, Jack Metcalfe Class Advisor, Mr. Tumbleson

>From the 1938 Scio High School yearbook School Daze (a photograph) Junior Class Roll Call Juanice Thayer Naomi Weinberg Marie Slover Miss James (teacher) Evelyn Palon Natalie Phillips Wilma Trunkenbolz Gladys Oakley Anna Mary Prokop Evelyn Katsel Johann Salzl Joyce Westenhouse John Anderson Richard Kendle Roy Fleming Harold Boyanovsky Vernon Haines Clyde Finegan Raymond McDonald Lane Weinberg Haman Shelton

>From Scio High School 1938 yearbook School Daze Senior Class Roll Call Loreen Arnold Agnes Becicka Clinton Burmester Florence Dennison Leslie Finegan Juanita Fosdick Lois Hill Bessie Holechek Robert Kalina Harold McDonald Marie Morgan Maxine Moses Jean Robertson Bennie Roner Rita Salzl Lola Scheer Idonna Smith Evelyn Sokolik Vera Walter

Lebanon Express Dec 30, 1980 Signa M. Gillenwater, 87 210 Pine St., died Wednesday evening at the Villa Cascade Nursing Home. Services were Saturday at the Huston Funeral with Dr. Bard Marshall officiating. Burial was at the Lebanon IOOF Cemetery. Mrs. Gillenwater was born April 10, 1893, in Minneapolis, Minn. The family moved to Portland and Mrs. Gillenwater also lived in Albany and Redmond before moving to Lebanon in 1963. She married Carl C. Gillenwater on Jan 1, 1916, in Hillsboro. He died Dec 5, 1963. She was a member of the First Baptist Church and the Redmond Garden Club. Survivors are one Sister, Ethel L. Gillenwater, Lebanon, two nephews, including Wesley Gillenwater, Lebanon; and four nieces, including Lorraine Burns, Albany.

Posted tonight on the Linn County USGenWeb site [http://www.usgw.org/or/linn/] are several lovely photographs submitted by Pauline Parvin, [email protected] - photos of Allinghams and Pearls. Stop by and see if you can help her answer the question of who is buried in Pleasant Butte Cemetery? http://www.usgw.org/or/linn/bios/allingham.html Thanks, Pauline! Jan Phillips [email protected] Linn County USGenWeb Project

Lebanon Express Sept 10, 1997 Gabe P. Potter Gabe P. Potter, 91, of Salem and formerly of Lebanon, died Saturday Aug 30 at the Sunnyside Care Center in Salem. A graveside service was held on Friday, Sep 5 at the Lebanon IOOF Cemetery with Pastor Henry Dahlberg officiating. He was born May 25, 1906 at Weatherford, OK to Ab and Georgia (Houchin) Potter. He moved to Or in 1942 from OK and to Lebanon in 1958 from Hillsboro. Except for a short time when he lived in Idanha, he lived at Lebanon until moving to Salem in 1992. Before retiring, he was a watchman for Young & Morgan Lumber Co. He married Ora M. Sexton on Feb 21, 1928 at OK City OK. She preceded him in death on December 8, 1977. Survivors include two daughters, Nona Moorhead of Salem and Elma Kommer of Lebanon, one son, Leon Potter of Cube Cove, Alaska; 7 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by daughter, Lona Walters; three grandsons, Steven Hamilton, Ron Kommer and Kurt Potter; and two great grandchildren, Bryce Zurcher and Patty Kay Bias. Arrangements were handled by Huston-Jost Funeral Home.

Albany Demarcate Herald Dec 10, 1977 Lois Lewis Lebanon---Funeral for Lois M. Lewis, 67, 371 W. F St., who died Friday at Good Samaritan Hospital in Corvallis, will be at 2 pm Monday at Huston Funeral Home. The Rev. Burnell Krager will officiate. Burial will follow at the Lebanon IOOF Cemetery. She was born in Roseberry, Idaho, on Oct 25, 1910. She came to Lebanon in 1941. She was married to Gyle H. Lewis. Nov. 18, 1931 in Vancouver WA. He died on May 4, 1977. Survivors include a son, Ted Lewis of Lebanon; and a daughter, Donna Lewis of Brooks; a brother, Rod Kleint of Woodland Hills, CA; three sisters, Dee Emerson of Cascade, ID; Luciel Emerson of Sutherlin; and Margaret Chishelm of Lebanon; and two grandchildren.

Albany Demarcate Herold Dec. 10, 1977 Ora Potter Funeral for Ora M. Potter, 71, 2070 Mill St. who died at Lebanon Communiy Hospital Thursday, will be at 2 pm Tuesday at Huston Funeral Home. Pastor H.D. Robeson will officiate. Burial will follow at the Lebanon IOOF Cemetery. She was born in Viola, Ark, Nov. 2, 1906 and came to Lebanon in 1958 form Hillsboro. she was a member of the First Assembly of God Church. She was married to Dave Potter Feb. 21, 1928 in Oklahoma City, OK. He survives. Other survivors include her father, Albert Sexton of Portland; three daughters Nona Morehead of Salem, Lona Walters of Hillsboro, and Elma Kommer of Lebanon; one son Leon Potter of Idanha; three brothers Leahman Sexton of Gresham, Claude Sexton of Madras, and Roy Sexton of Joanna, SC; three sisters, Bessy Treanor of Porltand, Vetah Treanor of Oklahoma City, Ok, and Zola Hoffman of Lebanon; eight grandchilden and six great-grandchildren.