W-Logo
W-Logo
WeiserAreaMemories
Weiser-ites-2
W-Logo
W-Logo
Too many Names on the A-Z Lists? 
 Now easily Search by Name!
Searching Tip – Use the least amount of words necessary, and choose the correct name from the results.
(e.g. “Jones,” not “T Jones,” “T. Jones,” “TS Jones,”  “T.S. Jones,” “Ted Jones,” etc. – just “Jones.”)
A-Z Lists:
 
People
 
Places
 
Events
 

Local Progress Club

The History of the Local Progress Club has been scanned from the book “Tales of Dead Ox Flat,” and converted to text for easier reading.
Michael Gribbin
************************************************************************************************************************************
**************************************************************************************************************
********************************************************************************************
****************************************************
********************************
FOREWARD
This book is presented as a Bicentennial Project by the members of the Local Progress Club, Dead Ox Flat, Oregon.
The Local Progress Club was founded July 11, 1906. It is believed to be the oldest, continuously active club of its kind in the State of Oregon. It was founded by Miss Jennie Patch.
Miss Patch felt that the men in our area had many opportunities to mingle and visit with each other, but the ladies were a bit neglected in this respect. In 1906, she set about to change this and the Local Progress
Club was born.
In the first meetings of 1906, 1907, and 1908, the Club History shows that the Ladies organized committees to see about a cemetery to be located on the Oregon Side. Still another committee was appointed to see about a “Hall” and others to see about a Barbeque, a Fair, a Box Social, a Dance, and the Library. They sponsored Farmers’ Dinners where agricultural products of the community were labeled and displayed.
It was due to the efforts of this Club that land was found and dedicated for the Fairview Cemetery.
The present and past members’ names read like the history books of our area. They include many of the pioneer families who settled here; some who came and went away, and many who stayed to see the sagebrush prairie
flat become the lovely area that it is today.
Still active after more than seventy years, the Club, in addition to its service to the community, still affords the ladies the chance to meet and chat with their fellow neighbors.
Miss Jennie Patch is still remembered in the minds and hearts of her fellow Local Progress Club members by a floral offering each Memorial Day.
Bonnie Grafe
President – 1976
************************************************************************************************************************************
**************************************************************************************************************
********************************************************************************************
****************************************************
********************************
DEDICATION
This book is dedicated to those who feel our pioneer heritage must not be lost. The pioneers who settled this area were, of necessity, resourceful, hardworking and long-suffering. Otherwise, how could the sagebrush prairie have bloomed into the beautiful, productive area we see today. The pioneers overcame real obstacles, hot wind and weather, little water and restless elements. Their determination built schools, roads and water systems.
We, therefore, dedicate, and gratefully acknowledge those pioneers and their families who contributed their information and memories to us.
We found their reminiscences, laughter, and their revealing facts about life “on the Flat” fascinating. We have presented them in their own words with a minimum of editing.
The recorded tapes from which these stories are printed have been presented to the Malheur County Library as a legacy to be enjoyed, we hope for many years to come.
************************************************************************************************************************************
**************************************************************************************************************
********************************************************************************************
****************************************************
********************************
IN APPRECIATION
We gratefully acknowledge those whose efforts and enthusiasm entered into the production of this history book. We most sincerely thank Mrs. Mamaro (Mary) Wakasugi for her tireless effort in producing the original tapes from which these stories are written.
The task of transcription, typing, editing art work, and preparation for the printing fell to Mrs. Frank (Ruth) Hill and Mrs. Clyde (Bonnie) Grafe to whom we are grateful.
We especially thank the contributing pioneers:
Adams Family History
By Marguerite Adams Poe
Conner-LeVander Family History
By Pearl LeVander
Frasier Family History
By Harry Frasier
Frank Hill Family History
By Ruby Hill
Joseph Family History
By Charles Joseph
Turner Family History
By Guy Turner
Watkins Family History
By  Ora Watkins Rosen
From Local Progress Club – 1976
Adams Family History
By Marguerite Adams Poe
Conner-LeVander Family History
By Pearl LeVander
Frasier Family History
By Harry Frasier
Frank Hill Family History
By Ruby Hill
Johnson-Woods-Blakesley Family History
By Stella Woods
Joseph Family History
By Charles Joseph
Turner Family History
By Guy Turner
Watkins Family History
By  Ora Watkins Rosen
From Local Progress Club – 1976
************************************************************************************************************************************
**************************************************************************************************************
********************************************************************************************
****************************************************
********************************
If you have questions about this page, want to start or join a discussion about it, or add new information, please visit our Facebook Group, “Weiser Area Memories.”