F. Loosley Lives In Same House In Three Counties

FORT KLAMATH, June 1. (Special)—Having been a resident of Wood River valley for over 50 years, during which time he has been a citizen in three different counties while living in the same house, has been the experience of Fred Loosley, a prominent rancher of this district.

Mr. Loosley came to the Klamath valley in 1870 with his father, John Loosley, who was employed in the Indian service. At the time Old Fort Klamath was still in its heyday of soldier life. With the officers, ladies and enlisted men present, the garrison was the center of trade and social activities.

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After Long Absence Pioneer Publisher Visits Old Scenes

There are few familiar faces and fewer recognizable places to greet one who has not been in Klamath since 1900, in the opinion of Milan C. Loosley, who is today a stranger in his old home town.

Twenty-six years ago Loosley was associated with William Bowdoin as publisher of the Klamath Republican, a weekly newspaper that kept this city and county in touch with the news of the day. A gas station now occupies the corner of Main street where the little one-roomed office of the newspaper used to stand, and few people now living here remember the paper itself. Mr. Loosley left Klamath to join the army as a member, and of the signal corp [sic] carried the colors of his country in three campaigns. He is now retired from active service, and is, instead, employed with the civil service department of the United States engineers, making his home in Berkeley, Calif.

Drives In 2000 Sheep

Mr. and Mrs. C.V. Loosley and children and Mr. and Mrs. Lawton are visiting at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. George Loosley on Oak street. C.V. Loosley arrived Thursday from Fort Klamath, driving over 2000 head of sheep. He reports a heavy storm interfering with the progress of the sheep, which were brought over the Dead Indian road. There were eight inches of snow at the summit. The trip took six days.

Source: Ashland Weekly Tidings, November 15, 1922.

Bunch Funeral Held Monday

FORT KLAMATH—Funeral services for Mrs. Fanny Bunch, 84, were conducted Monday, Nov. 7, at 2 p.m. in O’Hair’s Memorial Chapel, Klamath Falls.

Mrs. Bunch died in Klamath Falls Saturday following an illness of several years. She was a pioneer of the Wood River Valley. Her parents were John and Lucy Loosley. She was born at the Loosley homestead south of Fort Klamath Jan. 17, 1876. Ten other children in the family preceded her in death.

John Frederick Loosley

John Frederick Loosley, a native pioneer son of Oregon, born at McMinnville, Ore., July 18, 1862, passed away in Medford very suddenly March 19, 9:30 a.m. Mr. Loosley spent his entire life in Oregon and was educated in the schools of the Willamette valley. He came to Oregon with his parents when he was ten years of age. They settled at Fort Klamath, Ore., where he spent his youth. He was married to Miss Mary Culbertson at Fort Klamath in November, 1885, five children, who survive him, being born to this union: One daughter, Mrs. Bessie Hartley of Merrill, Ore. four sons, Forester W., and Claude F. Loosley, of Pittville, Calif., Raymond S. Loosley of Malin, and 14 grandchildren. He is also survived by wife, Mrs. Mary Loosley of Fort Klamath, Ore. Mr. Loosley was one of the pioneer ranchmen of Klamath county and was known by a host of friends, Funeral services will be held in the Methodist church at Fort Klamath, Ore., Thursday afternoon at 2 o’clock, Reverend Mooney officiating. Interment will be in the Fort Klamath cemetery.

Source: Klamath News, March 20, 1940.

John F. Loosley Rites Thursday

John Frederick Loosley, pioneer son of Oregon, born at McMinnville on July 18, 1862, passed away here suddenly March 19, 9:30 a.m. Mr. Loosley spent his entire life in Oregon, being educated in Willamette valley schools. He came to southern Oregon at the age of ten with his parents, and they settled at Fort Klamath.

He was united in marriage to Miss Mary Culbertson at Fort Klamath, Oregon, in November, 1885. Five children were born to this union: one daughter, Mrs. Bessie Hartley, Merrill, Oregon; four sons, Forester W., and Claude F. Loosley, of Pittville, Calif., Raymond S. Loosley, Forth Klamath, and Merle J. Loosley, Malin, Oregon. Fourteen grandchildren also survive as do two sisters, Mrs. Mary Smart, Los Angeles, Calif., and Mrs. Fannie Bunch, Chiloquin, Oregon; six brothers, George W. Loosley, Ashland, Oregon; Phillip S. Loosley, Medford; B.F. Loosley, Chemault, Ore.; Marion F. Loosley, Long Beach, Calif.; Milan A. Loosley, Berkeley, Calif., and H.B. Loosley of Malin, Oregon.

E.K. Loosley Killed In Auto Accident

Edward Kenneth Loosley, 65, well known Fort Klamath resident and at one time a Klamath Falls building inspector, was killed instantly Sunday night on Pacific highway, south, near Grants Pass.

Loosley’s body was struck and hurtled 20 feet by a second car driven after a machine driven by Charles G. Brent of Roseburg hit him as he alighted from an automobile driven by Homer Mustard of Klamath Falls. Loosley was crossing the highway to an auto court, according to investigating state police, when he was hit by Brent.

New Mexico Family Visits Loosley Ranch

FORT KLAMATH—Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Byous, daughters Lorraine and Janet, and son Stewart, of Eunice, New Mexico, visited recently at the home of her mother, sister and family, Mrs. Raymond S. (Willeska) Loosley, Mr. and Mrs. Hollis (Maxine) Kizer and their three children, at the Loosley ranch south of Fort Klamath. Mrs. Byous is the former Ethelva Loosley, and her husband is a professor on the Eunice High School staff.

Margaret Birdsell Loosley

MRS. MILAN (MARGARET B.) LOOSLEY, widow of the late Maj. Milan Loosley, died Jan. 4 in Letterman Hospital in San Francisco.  She was interred in Presidio Cemetery beside her husband who died several years ago.  Major Loosley was the last survivor of the 12 children born to John and Nancy Loosley, early-day settlers of the Wood River Valley.

Source: Klamath Herald and News, January 17, 1962.

About J. Fred Loosley

J. Fred Loosley, the Ft. Klamath giant, who makes excellent cheese and butter at his creamery, came in from east of the mountains last Friday and returned Monday. He was accompanied by his father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. John Loosley, who left that evening for Salinas, Calif., where they will spend the winter. Fred tells us that next year he will have the milk from 450 cows at the creamery, which will be 100 more than he had this year. With this addition he hopes to come somewhere near being able to supply the local demand for his product. While in a valley town recently his cheese was put up for comparison with cheese made in New York state—the banner cheese country of the world—and those making the test could not tell which was the York [sic] state cheese and which was Klamath County’s product. While there is little if any difference in the product there is a decided per centage our way in cost as the eastern cheese costs eighteen and a half cents per pound while ours only costs eleven cents per pound.

Source: Medford Mail, November 17, 1899.