Finding History
submitted by Andrew Anderson
Salem, OR
We don’t often think of looking to a funeral home for history, but it is amazing what you will find. The archives at Howell-Edwards-Doerksen with Rigdon Ransom are a treasure trove of history. We dusted off funeral records dating back to 1891 to share the role that our business played in our state’s history.
Our story begins in 1891 when W.T. “Taylor” Rigdon opened the doors of his newly purchased business: the Rotan Undertaking Parlor. His location at 299 Cottage Street NE in Salem was in close proximity to many state facilities. Names such as the Oregon State Penitentiary, the Oregon State Insane Asylum, the Oregon State Tuberculosis Sanitarium and the Oregon State Polio Sanitarium are reflected in his funeral records. The Rotan Undertaking Parlor eventually took the name of Rigdon Ransom Colonial Chapel.
On the prowl for interesting history, we gently open the bound record book from 1892. Handwritten in ink on pages yellowed from age, we see name after name of Oregon pioneers. The first funeral record is dated August 29, 1892, for a 35 year old resident of the Oregon State Insane Asylum. His cause of death was documented as “insanity.” Down the page you see the names of nine individuals, from ages 2 months to 55 years. All died of a fever – within a matter of days.
Our story continues. In 1909, G.E. Terwilliger and his wife opened the Terwilliger Funeral Home. The Terwilliger’s conducted their business out of their stately home at 770 Chemeketa Street in Salem. Advertisements for the new business boast of a “home-like environment, private with no signs.” In addition the Terwilliger’s housed the community’s “motorized lung.” As often happens with history, we do not have any information on how it was used or why it was housed at the Terwilliger Funeral Home. The Terwilliger Funeral Home eventually became Howell-Edwards-Doerksen Chapel of the Gardens.
Next we look through the Terwilliger funeral records. These records, instead of being only one line, had expanded to a full page. Again we find history. Like Mr. Rigdon, the Terwilliger’s provided service to many of the state facilities. The records from 1912 document page after page of individuals who died of tuberculosis at the Tuberculosis Sanitarium. We also find records of individuals hung at the Oregon State Penitentiary, like a 30 year old Roman Catholic tailor. Unknown to us is his crime against the state. We also see causes of death that we often need to look up the meaning. Names and terms such as: Bright’s disease, senile exhaustion, and apoplexy. Places of residence, like the “Poor Farm” gives us a window into the economic experience of many of our citizens.
The years have brought many changes to our business. The Howell-Edwards location at 545 N Capital Street was purchased by the State of Oregon and is now part of the Capitol Mall. In 1966 Howell-Edwards name was changed to Howell-Edwards-Doerksen Chapel of the Gardens; and, we moved to our current location at 1350 Commercial Street SE. In 1999, Rigdon Ransom Colonial Chapel’s building was sold to the Y.M.C.A. and is currently used as a Teen Center. Also in 1999, Howell-Edwards-Doerksen acquired Rigdon Ransom.
We continue to be a part of Oregon’s history today. And though changes have taken place over the years, one thing remains constant: our commitment to provide excellent service to the individuals and families in our community who bestow their trust in us to care for their loved one.
