The Record Courier: Baker, Oregon: Nov 14, 1935
JOHN DENNY, "Father of Halfway" Passes -- by Wilda M. Reed
Halfway -- The funeral services of John Austin Denny, who died November 8, aged 81 years, 10 months, and 24 days, were held at the Christian Church, of which he was a member, Sunday, November 10, the Rev. C.R. Prichard officiating. A quartet, Dr. J. L. Wilson, Thomas Gibbs, Mrs. Chum Summers, and Mrs. C. R. Prichard sang the selected hymns, accompanied on the piano by Miss Lela Saunders.
Mr. Denny was born in Pulaski County, Arkansas, in 1853, to James P. and Sarah Jones Denny. In 1856 his parents brought him across the plains by ox team to California, where his early life was spent. He went to Jackson county, Oregon, and in 1878 married Miss Ellen Eades. To this union one child was born, who is now Mrs. Henrietta Ludiker of Homestead. The young mother only lived six months after the birth of her daughter, and the child was given to the grandparents to rear.
In 1901 in Enterprise, Mr. Denny married Miss Garnett Beal; four children were born to them, all of whom are living, Mrs. Marie Lansing of Myrtle Point; Mrs. Leslie Smelcer, and Roscoe and Lois, the latter two still at home. Besides the widow and children he is survived by one brother, Zeno Denny of Pine Valley, seven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
From 1884 to 1892 he resided in Pine Valley and during that time was an active member of the I.O.O.F. lodge. He was road supervisor and opened the main roads from every point of the compass. He might also be called the founder of Halfway, as it was his influence that induced Mr. Alex Stalker to move his store from up the valley to its present site, the cross-roads where Halfway now stands; he built the two-story building now owned by N.D. Brown. The upper floor was used as a lodge hall. He and Thad Leep, now deceased, also built the Christian church building and he was a charter member of that institution.
During his residence in Wallowa county, from 1901 to 1914, he joined the Masonic order in Enterprise, but his membership was never transferred.
John Denny, stricken a year ago with paralysis, died Friday morning. His daughter, Lois, a student in high school, was summoned, but too late to see her father alive.
Mr. Denny was a kind and loving father and his family are grief-stricken at his passing. No one of them begrudged the time spent in making his last days easier by their care and attention. All friends join in sympathy for their bereavement.
The Record Courier: Baker, Oregon: Nov 14, 1935
JOHN DENNY, "Father of Halfway" Passes -- by Wilda M. Reed
Halfway -- The funeral services of John Austin Denny, who died November 8, aged 81 years, 10 months, and 24 days, were held at the Christian Church, of which he was a member, Sunday, November 10, the Rev. C.R. Prichard officiating. A quartet, Dr. J. L. Wilson, Thomas Gibbs, Mrs. Chum Summers, and Mrs. C. R. Prichard sang the selected hymns, accompanied on the piano by Miss Lela Saunders.
Mr. Denny was born in Pulaski County, Arkansas, in 1853, to James P. and Sarah Jones Denny. In 1856 his parents brought him across the plains by ox team to California, where his early life was spent. He went to Jackson county, Oregon, and in 1878 married Miss Ellen Eades. To this union one child was born, who is now Mrs. Henrietta Ludiker of Homestead. The young mother only lived six months after the birth of her daughter, and the child was given to the grandparents to rear.
In 1901 in Enterprise, Mr. Denny married Miss Garnett Beal; four children were born to them, all of whom are living, Mrs. Marie Lansing of Myrtle Point; Mrs. Leslie Smelcer, and Roscoe and Lois, the latter two still at home. Besides the widow and children he is survived by one brother, Zeno Denny of Pine Valley, seven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
From 1884 to 1892 he resided in Pine Valley and during that time was an active member of the I.O.O.F. lodge. He was road supervisor and opened the main roads from every point of the compass. He might also be called the founder of Halfway, as it was his influence that induced Mr. Alex Stalker to move his store from up the valley to its present site, the cross-roads where Halfway now stands; he built the two-story building now owned by N.D. Brown. The upper floor was used as a lodge hall. He and Thad Leep, now deceased, also built the Christian church building and he was a charter member of that institution.
During his residence in Wallowa county, from 1901 to 1914, he joined the Masonic order in Enterprise, but his membership was never transferred.
John Denny, stricken a year ago with paralysis, died Friday morning. His daughter, Lois, a student in high school, was summoned, but too late to see her father alive.
Mr. Denny was a kind and loving father and his family are grief-stricken at his passing. No one of them begrudged the time spent in making his last days easier by their care and attention. All friends join in sympathy for their bereavement.
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