Ralph and Stella Eagleson Oral History Interview

Interviewee: Ralph and Stella Eagleson
Interviewer: Gary Blanchard
Interview Date: February 8, 2008
Location: Eagleson residence, Eddyville, Oregon
Duration: 1:02:33
 

In this interview, Ralph and Stella Eagleson discuss their childhoods and family backgrounds. Ralph shares that he was born in Eddyville, Oregon, and that he grew up on a farm in a large family. He describes the farm work he helped with as a child and his relationship with his siblings. Stella Eagleson states that she was raised in Toledo, Oregon and talks about how new developments in technology, such as the invention of washing machines, impacted her family when she was young. Ralph then briefly describes his enlistment in the Marine Corps during World War II, after which he and Stella discuss how they met.

From there the couple describe their first home, and the work they’ve done developing their property since then. Ralph details his work in the logging industry before the conversation turns to a description of the Eagleson children. The interview ends with Ralph and Stella describing and providing background information on some of the pictures in their home.

Ralph Eagleson was born in Eddyville, Oregon in 1925. He grew up on a farm with his four siblings, and participated in agricultural work as a young child. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and served in World War II. In 1947 he married Stella Gilmore, and together the couple raised four children. He spent his working years felling timber, and passed away in 2015.

Stella Eagleson, nee Gilmore, was born in Toledo, Oregon in 1929. After graduating from Toledo High School, she married Ralph Eagleson. She was a stay at home mother while her four children were young, and later worked as a library aide. The library at Eddyville School is now named the Stella Gilmore Eagleson Library in honor of her outstanding contributions as an employee and, in retirement, volunteer. A member of Eddyville Community Church for 60 years and active in a local women’s club, Stella passed away in 2012.

Dublin Core

Title

Ralph and Stella Eagleson Oral History Interview

Description

In this interview, Ralph and Stella Eagleson discuss their childhoods and family backgrounds. Ralph shares that he was born in Eddyville, Oregon, and that he grew up on a farm in a large family. He describes the farm work he helped with as a child and his relationship with his siblings. Stella Eagleson states that she was raised in Toledo, Oregon and talks about how new developments in technology, such as the invention of washing machines, impacted her family when she was young. Ralph then briefly describes his enlistment in the Marine Corps during World War II, after which he and Stella discuss how they met.

From there the couple describe their first home, and the work they’ve done developing their property since then. Ralph details his work in the logging industry before the conversation turns to a description of the Eagleson children. The interview ends with Ralph and Stella describing and providing background information on some of the pictures in their home.

Ralph Eagleson was born in Eddyville, Oregon in 1925. He grew up on a farm with his four siblings, and participated in agricultural work as a young child. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and served in World War II. In 1947 he married Stella Gilmore, and together the couple raised four children. He spent his working years felling timber, and passed away in 2015.

Stella Eagleson, nee Gilmore, was born in Toledo, Oregon in 1929. After graduating from Toledo High School, she married Ralph Eagleson. She was a stay at home mother while her four children were young, and later worked as a library aide. The library at Eddyville School is now named the Stella Gilmore Eagleson Library in honor of her outstanding contributions as an employee and, in retirement, volunteer. A member of Eddyville Community Church for 60 years and active in a local women’s club, Stella passed away in 2012.

Creator

Ralph and Stella Eagleson

Source

Starker Forests Community Oral History Collection (OH 038)

Publisher

Special Collections and Archives Research Center, Oregon State University Libraries

Date

February 8, 2008

Contributor

Gary Blanchard

Format

Born Digital Video

Language

English

Type

Oral History

Identifier

oh38-eagleson-ralph-and-stella-20080208

Oral History Item Type Metadata

Interviewer

Gary Blanchard

Interviewee

Ralph and Stella Eagleson

Location

Eagleson residence, Eddyville, Oregon

Original Format

Born Digital Video

Duration

1:02:33

OHMS Object

Interview Format

video