Notes on Nellie Blanche Balter Lay and Joseph Eli Lay

Joseph Eli Lay

B. 19 Feb 1881, Boseman, Montana. Died 29 Feb, 1972, Hubbard, Marion Co., OR

Came to Joseph, Oregon in 1898
Moved to Willamette Valley after living 8 years on the Coast.

1902 Registered Voters
George R. Lay - Farmer -Joseph, Oregon
Thomas Lay - Farmer - Joseph, Oregon

Wallowa County Residents
Doris Lay
Harold Lay
Cecille Lay


Former Resident Dies at Hubbard

Joseph E. Lay (Joe) passed away February 29,1972 at his home in Hubbard, Oregon at the age of 91. He was born February 19,1881 to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas H. Lay at Bozeman , Montana.

In 1898 he came to Joseph where he and his parents resided for many years. He lived several years at Enterprise. In 1941 he moved to the Oregon Coast, moving in 1949 to the Willamette Valley where he lived until his death.

Survivors include his wife, Atha Lay, Hubbard, Oregon; four Daughters, Joanne Lay, Hubbard; Mrs. Lowell (Cecile) Rugg, Pilot Rock, Oregon; Mrs. Herman (Wilma) Hulse, Lincoln City, Oregon; Mrs Art (Erma) Warner, Kelso, Washington; Eight Grand Children, 23 Great Grand Children, and 12 Great- Great Grand Children.

Memorial services were held at Ringo-Cornwell Colonial Chapel at Woodburn, Oregon on Friday March 3,1972 with Rev. George Bond and Rev. B. G. Shurtleff officiating.  Rev. Sterl Spiess sang, "We shall see the King" and "Wonderful Peace" . Organist was Roy Varner, a Grandson of Mr. Lay.

Casket Bearers were : Donald Hulse, Samuel Hulse, Michael Hulse, Gary Clevenger, William Clevenger, and Melvin Varner. Interment was at Belle Passi cemetery at Woodburn, Oregon.


Nellie Blanche Balter Lay

Nellie was buried at Bell Passi Cemetery, Woodburn, Oregon. She had fallen outside and wasn't found for three hours. The funeral was in Brooks, Oregon.

1889 School District 25, The Park which was a hewed log school house the logs being hauled from Summit Creek. The floor was hewn from split logs and so were the benches. Nellie Balter is listed as a student with 12 other children. J.C. Bell was their teacher. photo on page 250.

1894 School District 25, The Park lists Nellie Balter as a new student and the teacher is Jennie Blevans.

1894 School District 13, Pleasant Center East of Joseph, School census lists Nellie Balter as a new student  and the teacher as Nettie Davis.

The Wallowa County, District 5, Prairie Creek School census for 1895 lists Willie, Nellie, Ollie and Alice Balter. Their teacher was S. P. Crow.

Nellie and Joseph Lay lived for a while at Hay, Washington and were living there when her sister  Roberta Clara passed away in July 1935.

Nellie and Joseph Lay also lived in Bozeman , Gallatin County, Montana and later at Brooks, Oregon.

Contributed by  Harold Balter
Copyright 2000 - 2004

Balter Index

Wallowa County


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