John Smith BURGEN

                   Obituary included in notes.

The Klickitat County Agriculturist, Goldendale, WA., January 3, 1930, page 4 "Local Doings"The funeral of the late Sarah Jane Thompson, of Cliffs, was held from the Chapman Chapel, in Goldendale, on Monday, December 30, 1929, Rev. R.C. Young, pastor of the Methodist church, officiating. Interment was in the Odd Fellows' cemetery.Mrs. Thompson was a sister of the late Wm. C. Burgen of Goldendale, and was among the earliest pioneers of Klickitat county.------------------The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., January 3, 1930, page 1SARAH JANE THOMPSONSarah Jane Burgen was born near Kansas City, Missouri, January 3rd, 1847, and moved with her parents, John S. and Susan Burgen, to Linn County, Oregon in 1852, locating near Scio, and in 1859 they came to the then wilderness, Klickitat County, where her father took up a homestead about 4 miles south of Goldendale on the Swale.Here she lived until her marriage to William G. Thompson in 1866 then moved to near Cliffs, Wash., where he took up a homestead and has resided there continuously until her death which occurred December 27, 1929, being 82 years, 11 months and 24 days of age.There were six children born to this union, four of whom survive her: Mrs. Belle McGrath, Wishram, Wash.; Mrs. C.K. Andrews, Portland, Ore.; John O., Charleston, Ore. and Walter of Cliffs, Wash. She also leaves two brothers and four sisters: Mrs. Nancy Graham and Mrs. Lydia Branton, Goldendale, Wash.; Mrs. Mary Wallis, Portland, Ore.; Mrs. Emma Pierce, Kent, Wash.; Thomas Burgen, Ephrata, Wash., and Oscar Burgen, Spokane, Wash. There are seven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren left to mourn her passing.Funeral services were held from the Chapman chapel Monday, Dec. 30th, 1929, at 2 o'clock with Rev. R.C. Young officiating. Interment followed in the family plot in the I.O.O.F. cemetery.
                  

                   Obituaries and historical information included in notes.

The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., December 30, 1937, page 2MRS. MARY WALLIS DIES IN PORTLANDMrs. Mary E. Wallis, 88, daughter of the pioneer Burgen family and one time resident of Klickitat county, died in Portland Christmas morning. The funeral services for Mrs. Wallis were held in Portland Tuesday. Mrs. Frank Branton, of Goldendale, one of Mrs. Wallis' two surviving sisters, attended the last rites.Mrs. Wallis, the daughter of John and Susan Burgen, crossed the Plains in a covered wagon drawn by oxen when she was only three years old. She was born in 1849 and came to Linn county, Oregon with her parents in 1852. The Burgen family moved to Klickitat county in 1859 settling on a farm south of Goldendale.Town Named In HonorMrs. Wallis was the widow of the late Rufus Wallis, for whom the town of Rufus, Oregon is now named. Mrs. Wallis had lived in Portland for more than 20 years prior to her death.She is survived by two sons, Charles, of Wyoming, and A. Wallis, of Portland; two daughters, Mrs. John Carroll, of Yakima, and Mrs. Josephine French, of Portland; 15 grandchildren and 14 great grand-children. Two sisters, Mrs. Branton, of Goldendale, and Mrs. Emma Pierce, of Seattle, also survive.------------------------------The Oregonian, Portland, OR., December 26, 1937, section 2, page 3DIEDWALLIS - In this city, Mary E. Wallis, aged 88 years, late of 631 N.E. 81st ave., beloved mother of R.A. Wallis, Portland; Mrs. J.F. Carroll, Yakima, Wash.; C.W., Wallis, Powell, Wyo., and Josephine French, Portland. Remains are at the Gable Funeral Home, 225 N.E. 80th ave. Funeral notice later.----------------------------The Oregonian, Portland, OR., December 27, 1937, section 1, page 10WALLIS -- In this city, Mary E. Wallis, aged 88 years, late of 631 N.E. 81st.; mother of R.A. Wallis, Portland; Mrs. J.F. Carroll, Yakima, Wash.; Charles W. Wallis, Powell, Wyo., and Josephine French, Portland; sister of Mrs. Fank Branton, Goldendale, Wash., and Mrs. Emma Pierce, Seattle; also 15 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, December 28, at 2 P.M., at the Gable Funeral Home, 225 N.E. 80th ave. Friends invited.
------------------------------

Sources:Early Klickitat Valley Days by Robert BallouSherman County Births1870 & 1880 US Census of Klickitat County WA 1871, 1883, 1885, 1887 WA State Census, Klickitat County Oregon Historical Society Quarterly XXVIII 1927: Rufus A. Wallis, original settler.Rufus Carroll Wallisborn 11 June 1837 "Murray" County, TN [Maury?] died 1914 [unknown place of death and burial] to Chamberlin Flat on the Columbia River 1860s had a homestead on Oak Flat, Pleasant Valley married Mary Burgen 21 Feb 1866 at Columbus [Maryhill], Klickitat County, WA - Amos Stark officiating; Mary E. Burgen ran away to marry Wallis at his bachelor home at Columbus 1870 resident of Klickitat County, WA 1880 resident of Klickitat County, WA [census taker spelled it Wallace both times] 1883 Klickitat County, WA census to Rufus 1886, platted the town 1st postmaster 1890 built first hotel, a 2-story frame building that Mary ran for 25 yearsMary E. Burgen born 1849 MO died 23/25 Dec 1937 [place of death and burial unknown] daughter of John S. Burgin and Suzanne Simpson who married 1844 in MO, came to OR 1852; John d. Goldendale 1900, Suzanne d. c. 1910.Children of Rufus and Mary E. Wallis:--William H./A. born c. 1867 Klickitat County, Washington Territory, might be the William who married Flora Wedgewood 22 Feb 1890 in Klickitat County, WA --Newton W. born c. 1869 Klickitat County, WT --Rufus A.? born c. 1871 WT --Ida May born c. 1873/74 Klickitat County, WT, married John A. Foister 24 April 1892 at Rufus, Sherman County, OR, two children: Robert P. and Maravine --Charles W. born c. 1876 WT --Harvey ?W. born August 1879 WT [Sherman County Births: daughter born to Harvey Wallis and Rose Leavens 1 March 1906.] --Josephine married 1st Bob Hailey, 2nd Paul French of The Dalles --George E. married Minnie Blackburne, daughter of William & Clara, 1903 Moro, OR --Harry E. born c. 1880 WT .1870 US Census, Klickitat County, WA Household #29-23:Rufus C. Wallace 33 TN farmerMary E. Wallace 20 MOWilliam A. Wallace 3 WTNewton W. Wallace 1 WT.1880 US Census, Klickitat County, WA Household #326-344:R.C. Wallace 41 TN-TN-TN farmerMary Wallace 31 MO -0- INWilliam Wallace 13 WTNewton Wallace 11 WTRufus Wallace 9 WTIda M. Wallace ? WTCharles W. Wallace 4 WTHarvey Wallace born Aug 1880.Burgen Sources:Mrs. John Davidson, The Dalles, ORKlickitat County, WA censusEarly Klickitat Valley Days by Robert BallouJohn Smith Burgenborn 15 Nov 1824 Lee County, VAto KY, then MO, to OR 1852took a land claim near Scio, ORdied 31 Dec 1899 Goldendale, Klickitat County, WAmarried 25 April 1846 Andrew County, MO to Susanne/Susan Simpson born 1828 INchildren of John and Susanne/Suzanne Burgen:--Sarah Jane born 3 Jan 1847 MO --Mary born 29 July 1849 MO, d 1937, married Rufus C. Wallis 21 Feb 1866 Klickitat County,WA --Thomas born 28 Jan 1851 MO --Margaret[te] J. born 6 Sept 1853 Linn County, OR, m. William T. Johnson 8 Sept 1871 Klickitat County, WA --William C. born 9 Dec 1855 Linn County, OR, d 20 Nov 1929 Goldendale, WA, m. Mary Adeline Scammon; pioneer at Goldendale, adventures and cowboying at Snake River headwaters, Wyoming, Utah and Idaho --Nancy Ella born 17 Nov 1851 Linn County, OR, m. John P. Graham 4 June 1877 Klickitat Co WA --Dennis Newton "Newt" born Jan 1860 Klickitat County, WT - well known "yarn spinner" --Jacob born 21 Oct 1861 Klickitat County, WT --Oscar [one source: Oscar Wallis] born 15 July 1867 WT, d. 1936 --Emma "Emmy" born 5 Nov 1869 Klickitat County, WT, m. Dewitt E. Golden 24 Nov 1887 Klickitat County, WA --Lydia "Liddy" born 14 Feb 1872 WT, married F.L. Branton 27 Nov 1895 Wasco County, OROther Burgen infoThe John Burgen and Thomas Burgen families went to Klickitat County, WT by ox & wagon, river steamboat, and on horseback from the Willamette Valley. John had 6 children when they arrived, 5 more born in Klickitat County Thomas [brother of John] and Susan [Boots] Burgen were married in Linn County, OR and had a daughter Elvira Ella Burgen born 1863, married Robert Ferguson, died 1936. Jim Burgen was an early day sheep man in the Upper Klickitat Valley and Rock Creek areas
. Bill Burgen was a well-known shearer. Thomas Burgen of Platte County, MO died on the plains 1852.FLECK notes:Frank Fleck and his brother Peter Fleck owned Fleck's Orchard at Rufus. Frank married Ellen who had two daughters by a previous marriage, one married R.A. Wallis, the other Van Heywood. Frank and Ellen had a daughter who married J.F. Fowler and lived at Rufus, son B.L. who lived in Redmond in 1932 and Byard who lived in Bellingham WA in 1932. Ellen died in Sherman County, OR Nov 1932 or 1926... buried at a Portland crematorium.
                  

                   Obituary included in notes.

The Klickitat County Agriculturist, Goldendale, WA., January 8, 1932, page 1THOMAS BURGEN, 84, KLICKITAT PIONEER, DIESThomas Burgen, son John Burgen, died at his home near Wenatchee, last Monday, at the age of 84 years. As Thomas Burgen was a pioneer resident of Klickitat county, and had a wide acquaintance here, the Argi. has gathered an interesting summary of Thomas Burgenâs life. So far as can be determined the death of Mr. Burgen marks the passing of the oldest pioneer in the point of continuous residence in all of eastern Washington. He came to Goldendale 78 years ago, or about 15 years before the first white settler came to theIinland Empire. Mr. Burgen was born near St. Joseph, Mo., in 1847, and came to Oregon with his parents, in 1857. They were a part of a large train of 250 wagons. Mr. Burgen is survived by his wife, Jessie Burgen, a son Collin Burgen, of Spokane and, and four sisters, Mary Wallace of Portland, Or.; Nancy Graham and Lydia Branton of Goldendale; and Emma Pierce of Seattle; and one brother, Oscar Burgen, of Cobert, in Spokane county. The great train of people came over the Old Oregon trail to make a new home in the Oregon country. The Burgens first settled in Lynn county, but a little later came over into the Klickitat country, where young Thomas grew to manhood. While in Klickitat, in 1885, Thomas Burgen was married to Miss Jessie Heskett, who survives him. To this union there were born five children, only two of whom grew to manhood, Harry who passed beyond in 1903 and his surviving son Colin Burgen. During his earlier years Thomas Burgen, in Klickitat, was engaged in the cattle business, and on several occasions assisted in trailing herds of cattle to Fort Cheyenne. In the spring of 1888, with his wife, Jessie, and his two sons, the Burgen people moved to Douglas county, bringing with him his herds of cattle and horses. The heart-breaking the winter of 1889 and 1890, entirely destroyed his stock, and the family moved over to the little town of Waterville, the county seat. They lived there for 13 years, and here the other children were born. With a courage natural to man of his stamp, Burgen again engaged in raising stock. His territory was then known as âthe desert.âWith the settling of the country Mr. Burgen quit stock raising and for many years past has engaged in farming, and was active on the farm until within two weeks of his death. The Agri. will conclude this article with a tribute to Thomas Burgen by a Klickitat pioneer who knew him well: His charity, neighborliness, honesty and industry was of the kind that built the west. At his home no man was refused food and lodging, and his purse was opened to the needy. His friends are to be found all over the state of Washington. He was honored and respected by all who knew him.
                  

                   Obituary included in notes.

Obituary states birthdate is 1853, though most other records show 1858.

The Klickitat County Agriculturist, Goldendale, WA., December 7, 1928, page 1NOTED IN EARLY KLICKITAT HISTORYW.C. Burgen, who passed away recently, is survived by his widow, Mrs. Mary A. Burgen, and three children, as follows:William Burgen, Mrs. Sylvia Fox, of Corvallis, and George Burgen. Also 7 grandchildren, two brothers and five sisters. Thos. Burgen of Euphrata; Oscar Burgen of Spokane; Mrs. Jane Thompson of Cliffs; Mrs. Mary Wallis of Portland; Mrs. Emma Pearce, Kent, Wash.; Mrs. Nancy Graham and Mrs. Frank Branton, Goldendale. Mr. Burgen began his career as a cowboy at the age of 15 working for an eastern Oregon stockman; was a scout for the U.S. Army, and the Wells-Fargo express companies, and later an express rider. He was in this class of work altogether some 25 years. Mr. Burgen was born in Marion county, Or., in 1853. When 3 years of age he came to Klickitat county, with his father, John S. Burgen, who was one of the first settlers here to establish a home. When the first railroads came to the coast and the northwest, he went to Portland for a few years. In the late 60s he came back to Klickitat, and for 5 years engaged in farming on a wheat ranch in the No. 6 section, near Goldendale; and along about 1892 he sold the farm and bought a house in this city. Shortly after he moved to this city he became a deputy sheriff and later was elected sheriff, and served two terms, the legal limit.
---------------------------

The Klickitat County Agriculturist, Goldendale, WA., November 23, 1928, page 1THE PASSING OF W.C. BURGENWilliam C. Burgen, a pioneer of Klickitat county, and a former sheriff, passed away Tuesday morning, November 20, 1929(sic). Mr. Burgen had been in poor health for several months past and his death was not unexpected.He was a son of the late John W. Burgen of the Goodnoe Hills section, who came to Klickitat in 1860.Mr. Burgen, who was 75 years of age, is survived by his wife and children and numerous relatives.The funeral services was held on Friday, November 23rd, from the Chapman undertaking parlors, with interment in the Odd Fellows cemetery.He was a member of the Eagles and Odd Fellows, which orders had charge of the services.--------------------------The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., November 22, 1928, page 1DEATH OF WILLIAM E. BURGENThe death of William E. Burgen occurred at the family home in Goldendale Tuesday afternoon about five o'clock, following a brief illness, caused by organic heart trouble. Mr. Burgen was unconscious from Monday noon, although prior to that time little hope was offered for his ultimate recovery.The funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at 2:30 from the Chapman Chapel. Interment will take place in the I.O.O.F. cemetery. An obituary will be published in the next issue of The Sentinel.--------------------------------The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., November 29, 1928, page 7WILLIAM C. BURGENWilliam C. (Bill) Burgen, 73, who died at his home in Goldendale, November 20th, at 5:30 p.m. was the oldest living white resident of the Klickitat Valley. He was born in Marion county, Oregon, in 1855. When three years of age, he came to Klickitat county with his father, John S. Burgen, who was one of the first settlers to erect a cabin and establish a home in the Klickitat Valley.His death marked the passing of another outstanding figure of the days of the old West. He began his career as a cowboy at the age of fifteen for an early day eastern Oregon stockman, for whom the town of Maupin, Wasco county, Oregon, was named. His activity as a cowboy, Indian scout for the United States Army, Wells Fargo Express guard and pony express rider, continued for twenty-five years and during the time he took an active part in the stirring events of the day on the Western Frontier from the Pacific Coast states to Wyoming and the Dakotas. He had a marked ability with a six shooter, was a skillful roper and wild horse rider. His knowledge of the habits and whims of range cattle, when driven in large bands gained him the position of trail boss for bands of cattle, driven from the Columbia River Basin in early days, across the Rocky Mountains, for shipment to Eastern markets from Cheyenne. As a broncho buster, he was without a rival in the Columbia River basin and earned much money for himself and friends, winning wagers, by riding horses that had previously unseated all riders.With the advent of railroads in the Pacific Northwest, he lived at Portland, Oregon, for a couple of years, where he worked in a livery barn and was a member of the early day volunteer fire department. In the 90's he came back to Klickitat county. For five years he engaged in farming on a wheat ranch in the No. Six neighborhood of the Klickitat Valley wheat belt.In 1892 he sold his farm and came to Goldendale to live. Soon after returning to Goldendale in the 90's he was given a commission by Colonel E.B. Wise, then Territorial sheriff of Klickitat county, to serve warrants on several members of an organized band of cattle thieves operating in Eastern Klickitat county.The men wanted had been indicted secretly by a grand jury at Goldendale. He accomplished the work of arresting members of the gang and driving accomplices out of the country, single handed. The task involved some exciting episodes. He arrested the leader of the band, a noted gun fighter and outlaw before the cattle thieves became aware that they were wanted. The man made a daring escape soon afterwards, but was out-witted and recaptured by Burgen, before he
could get out of the country.Another rustler taken into custody by Burgen, was saved from lynch law at the hands of vigilantes who sought to take his prisoner away from him. Burgen held the mob at bay with his six gun until citizens of Goldendale disposed to the side of law and order, persuaded the men to disband.Not long after moving to Goldendale, he became a deputy sheriff and continued as under sheriff until elected to the office in 1898, serving two terms. After retiring as sheriff in 1902, he served as City Marshal of Goldendale, a greater portion of the time until 1926.He is survived by his widow Mrs. Mary Adeline Burgen, and three children, as follows: William Daniel, Ketchikan, Alaska; Mrs. Sylvia Fox, Corvallis, Ore.; George W., The Dalles, Ore.; also seven grandchildren; two brothers and five sisters, as follows: Tom B., of Euphrata, Wash.; Oscar B., Spokane; Mrs. Jane Thompson, Cliffs, Wash.; Mrs. Mary Wallis, Portland; Mrs. Anna Pierce, Kent, Wash.; Mrs. Nancy Graham and Mrs. F.L. Branton, Goldendale.--------------------------------The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., February 7, 1929, page 8ODE TO W.C. BURGENThe following poem was ridden by Tom Thurman, of Oak Harbor, Washington, who had just heard of the death of his most esteemed friend, the late William C. Burgen.Billie was a cowboy in the days of old, He was honest and true with a heart of gold. The last survivor of that long, long trail When they trailed beef to Chicago from Goldendale. He faced the dangers of the cunning foe; Of rustlers and Indians, in the long ago. That weary trip that took three years, Way back to Chicago with a herd of steers. When his pals were slain in Denver town He rode with holsters buckled down. I have rumors of an awful fight, Out at Denver on a winter's night, For Billie was a brave pioneer That rode the trails and had no fear, He was always a friend to those in need, For Billie was a man indeed. And I saw him ride there in the west When the snow was up to his horses breast. When Klickitat was a bunchgrass plain As a broncho buster he had a great fame. When I was a boy in the long ago He was riding the hills of the Simcoes. He rode the trails of the bunchgrass plain Through sleet and snow, through wind and rain. And we were friends in the days of old, And our friendship grew and never grew old. Now he has passed to the other shore, And that noble heart, it throbs no more. That cowboy of the days of old Has gone to walk the streets of gold.
                  

                   Obituary included in notes.  Birthdate Sept 1859 or 17 Nov 1857.

The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., January 10, 1935, page 8NANCY GRAHAMAnother pioneer of Klickitat county passed to her reward in the death of Nancy E. Burgen, wife of the late John Paul Graham, on Thursday, January 3rd, at the age of 77 years. While she had been in poor health for some months, the end came suddenly from a heart attack.Nancy E. Burgen, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John S. Burgen, was born in Linn County, Oregon, Nov. 17, 1857. When three years of age she came with her parents to Klickitat county, where she has made her home continuously since. The family settled on a homestead east of Goldendale, where she spent her girlhood.She was married to John Paul Graham June 3, 1879, the couple residing on his homestead near Centerville until 1913, when they moved to Goldendale. Three children were born to the couple, Minnie of Goldendale; Thomas, of Centerville, and Fred, who passed away some years ago. Mr. Graham passed to his reward May 6th, 1928.Immediate surviving relatives are: Mrs. Minnie McEwen and Thomas Graham; a brother, Oscar Burgen, of Colberth, Washington, three sisters: Mrs. Mary E. Wallis, Portland; Mrs. Emma Pierce, Seattle and Mrs. Lydia Branton, Goldendale; four grand-children: Virgil McEwen, Goldendale; Jimmy and Vernon Dale Graham, of Centerville; Fred Graham, of Sunnyside. There are two great grand children: Virgil McEwen, Jr., of Waller Walla, and Joyce Jannett McEwen, of Goldendale.Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon, January 8th, from the Chapman Chapel, interment following in the I.O.O.F. cemetery. Elder S.C. Eshelman conducted the service which was attended by many of the life-long friends of Mrs. Graham and the family, bearing beautiful floral tributes to honor a useful and well spent life. Mrs. Joel Abshier sang two beautiful solos.--------------------------The Klickitat County Agriculturist, Goldendale, WA., January 11, 1935, page 10NANCY E. GRAHAMThe funeral of the late Nancy E. Graham of Goldendale, who died Jan. 5, 1935, was held last Tuesday from the Chapman chapel, Elder S.C. Eshelman of Centerville officiating. Interment was in the I.O.O.F. cemetery.Nancy Burgen was born in Oregon, in September, 1859 and married the late John P. Graham, a farmer in the Centerville section, on June 6, 1879. Her father, John Burgen, was a farmer and a native of Indiana. He left the state of his nativity and moved to Missouri, and in 1852 crossed the plains to Oregon. He settled in Klickitat county in 1859 and there resided till the time of his death in 1900. The mother was a native of Indiana and in that state married Mr. Burgen.Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Graham: Minnie M., wife of Charles McEwen; Thomas F.; and Fred E., now deceased; all born in Klickitat county.-----------------------------The Klickitat County News, Goldendale, WA., January 10, 1935, page 10OBITUARYNancy Ella Burgen was born in Oregon in 1857. She moved with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Burgen, to Klickitat county when she was 3 years old.In 1877 Miss Burgen united in marriage with John P. Graham. The couple resided in this county during their wedded life. John preceded Nancy in death. Mrs. Graham resided in Goldendale for the past 22 years.Two children of her union survive here: Thomas of Centerville and Mrs. Charles McEwen of Goldendale.Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at two o'clock from the Chapman chapel. Interment was in the Odd Fellows Cemetery.
                  

                   Obituary included in notes.

The Klickitat County Agriculturist, Goldendale, WA., September 21, 1907, page 1DEATH OF NEWTON BURGEN.  Newton Dennis Burgen, a well-known and highly respected citizen of this section, passed away on Sept. 17, 1907. In 1860, his father John Burgen settled on the Columbus road, near Swale Creek, about four miles south of Goldendale. His family has ever since occupied this place, to which 47 years ago he purchased their prior right of a young man for a $20 greenback. And here, in the following year, 1861, his son Newton, to whom belongs the distinction of being the first white child born in Klickitat county, was born. The first house built on the place, a substantial log one, is still standing, although it has long ago been replaced as a residence by a more comfortable dwelling. The funeral of Mr. Burgen was held from the residence on Thursday afternoon, attended by a large concourse of neighbors and friends of the deceased.