Mrs. Malinda Vancil

November 13, 1930

 Malinda Vancil widow of S.W. Vancil and a pioneer of this section of Umatilla County, passed away Thursday morning, November 13, at 2:20 o’clock at the home of her daughter, Mrs. U.W. Carney in Milton.  Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Munselle chapel, Rev. T.S. Wheeler conducting the service.  Interment will be made in Milton Odd Fellows cemetery.

 Amanda Scott was born in Indiana April 28, 1850, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Scott. At the end of the civil war the family joined an emigrant train bound for the Oregon country, making the long journey across the plains by oxen.  They settled on the homestead on Pine creek one mile below Weston.  She was married to Samuel Vancil January 27,1868, and they established their new home on the homestead on Couse Creek about 7 miles from Milton, where their entire married life was spent.  Mr. Vancil dies about 17 years ago and since that time Mrs. Vancil has made her home with her daughter in Milton, but still retained the old homestead.

 Four children were born to Mr. And Mrs. Vancil, all of whom are living.  They are William N. of John Day, Robert F, Mrs. Anna Carney and Mrs. Lillie Huntley of Milton.

There are 26 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.  She is also survived by a sister, Mrs. Margaret Sheets of Joseph, Oregon and two brothers Henry Scott of Milton and D.F. Scott of Newport, Oregon.

©Alva James

Samuel Vancil Dies Sunday morning Last April 20, 1910

After lingering illness pioneer goes to his reward beyond the skies.  Came here in the early days and saw country from wilderness to present day civilization.

After a lingering illness extending over several months, Samuel Vancil, aged 78 years, one of the oldest pioneers in the valley and father of Councilman R.F. Vancil of this city, died at his Cause Creek home Sunday Morning.  The death of Mr. Vancil was not unexpected, although it is a sad bereavement to the relatives who survive.

The deceased was on of the very last of the early pioneers who settled this country when it was vast sagebrush plain and Indians traveled from one part to another on horseback.  He came here before the steam engine was known and when the whole country was in its virgin state of uncivilization.  A peculiar incident of the death of Mr. Vancil is the fact that but a few months ago his early companion and friend and neighbor for many years, A.C. Shumway, died.  The two men pioneered the valley together and saw it grow from sagebrush plains to fields of productive grain.

Funeral services were held at the Odd Fellows’ cemetery Monday afternoon, the Rev. C.A. Rexsroad officiating.

Mr. Vancil was born in Hickman County, Kentucky and cam west in 1865.  His early life was full of hardships and trials, which beset the early settler, and through it all he came out unscarred.

In his early life he fought during the Civil war under Pemberton.  He was neither a member of any church or fraternal organization, but was a thoroughly upright citizen.

His father was a Methodist minister and helped divide the two branches of that organization in 1844. The deceased was twice married.  The first time when but 18 years old. To this union there were two children, both of whom, together with their mother, died.  He is survived by a wife and four children, beside a brother and two sisters.

©Alva James

Leader Dies

Robert Vancil Passes Sunday                Sept. 3, 1939

Death of Retired Rancher follows ill health for Years: Native of Milton,

Milton-Freewater, Sept.4

Robert Vancil, nearly 69, prominent Milton pioneer, retired rancher and former city official of both Milton and Freewater, died Sunday following ill health which has extended for the past few years.

In October,1937 he resigned from his final city position because of ill health.  At that time he was a member of the Milton city council.

He was the son of among the earliest pioneers of the Milton district and except for about 6 years while living at Touchet he spent his entire life here.

Vancil was born here September 9, 1870 and was educated at former Columbia College at Milton.

For some time about 1906 he was city recorder of Freewater and from 1931 to the fall of 1937 he was a member of the Milton council.

He was affiliated with the Knights of Pythias lodge and was a member of the Methodist church.

On June 29, 1904 he married Miss Rena Troyer of Milton, who survives him.  He also leaves two daughters, Mrs. Helen Harris of Ceres, Calif., and Miss Marie Vancil, Milton; Two sons, Ivan Vancil of Elberton, Wash., and Marvin Vancil, Weston: two sisters, Mrs. Anna Carney and Mrs. Lillie Huntley, both of Milton; a brother, William Vancil of Canyon City; and 5 grandchildren.

Funeral services have bee arranged for 2 P.M. Tuesday in Milton, with the Rev. Orville Whitman in charge assisted by W.C. Howard.  The K. of P. lodge will hold graveside services at the I.O.O.F. cemetery here.

©Alva James