Patrick Henry Roundtree, 86, died at his home at Klaber, where he had lived since 1869, late Tuesday afternoon, April 16. He had been ill for some time past and the end was not unexpected. An interesting coincidence in connection with his death is the fact that Mr. Roundtree's old-time pioneer friend, John R. James of Grand Mound, who came to this section of Washington in 1852, died the same afternoon at the age of 88. Mr. and Mrs. Roundtree celebrated the 63d anniversary of their marriage last Christmas time, December 24. Mr. Roundtree was born near Knoxville, Ill. Some months ago he completed an interesting biography of 90 pages, telling of his early life and that of his family during their many years of pioneer life spent in western Oregon and Lewis county.
Mr. and Mrs. Roundtree crossed the plains as children in separate immigrant caravans, meeting later in Polk county, Oregon, where they were married. Mr. Roundtree's father and family started on their covered wagon trek across the plains in 1859 with a large immigrant party that gathered at Omaha, Nebr. The experiences as recounted in "The Covered Wagons," "The Iron Horse" and other depictions of the screen had no more thrills than did those in the company of which the Roundtrees were a part. Attacks by roving bands of Indians and other startling adventures make of the Roundtree biography which he had printed a booklet of much historical value.
During his earlier years in Lewis county, Mr. Roundtree had many exciting experiences a a hunter and trapper. As a young man he was employed to set fire to the forests in the Boistfort district that more pastureland might be opened up for stock raising by his employer, John Hogue, well known character of those days. For this service Mr. Roundtree received $1.50 per day. Some years ago Mr. Roundtree platted the townsite of Pacific Beach in Gray's Harbor county and he and Mrs. Roundtree spent much of their time, especially during the summer seasons, at their home at that resort.
Mr. Roundtree was a kindly, gentle man, who had many warm friends among the older pioneers of the county as well as among many others of us who came to Lewis county at a later date. He was possessed of a genial, pleasant disposition and it was always a pleasure to meet him. His personal reminiscences on the occasion of these meetings were always of unusual interst.
Surviving relatives of Mr. Roundtree are his widow, Mrs. Nerva Jane Roundtree, who is 79 years of age; four sons, John, William, Charles and Albert, and a daughter, Mrs. Allie Damitz, all of Klaber. A fifth son, Harve Roundtree, lives at Shelton. Mr. Roundtree's only surviving brother, Eugene, lives at Sunnyside, Wash. There are also two siters, Mrs. Sarah Sloan of Albany, Ore., and Mrs. Julia Williams of Newhall, Calif. In addition, Mr. Roundtree leaves 21 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at the Boistfort Grange hall at Klaber at 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon, directed by E. C. Fissel of Chehalis. Rev. E. L. Kechley of the Christian church of Chehalis officiated. Burial was in Boistfort cemetery. (photo)
Source: The Chehalis Bee-Nugget, 19 Apr 1929, page 1.
Transcribed by Diana Smith. She has no further information on this individual.