History of Early Pioneer Families of Hood River, Oregon. Compiled by Mrs. D.M. Coon

FRANK RUSSSEL SPAULDING AND FAMILY                              1882

     Frank R. Spaulding was the only son of Harriet Ellen Smith Spaulding and David L. Spaulding.
     The father crossed the plains in 1852 to California, coming to Oregon in 1854 Harriet Smith reached Oregon in 1860 and in the same year was married to David Spaulding at Olympia, Washington.
     Lucy Spaulding, their oldest child, married Henry Sullivan of Dallas, Ore. Frank was born at Monticello (now Longview) Washington in 1862. He received his education in the public schools in the various towns in which his parents were located until he entered the Willamette University at Salem, Oregon where he graduated in 1880 at the age of 18 years. Two years later he made his first trip to Hood River and in 1883 he began his life work as a minister in the M.E. Church.
     On July 12, 1885 he was married to Catherine Jane McDonald at Athena, Oregon.
     The Belmont M.E. Church was organized in 1886 and the building erected the same year; the dedicatory sermon was preached by Frank Spaulding and he became the first regular pastor of that denomination in Hood River Valley. His next charge was at Ellensburg, Washington where he remained several years.
     Their oldest child, Rollin T., was born April 1886, another son, Merrill was born in 1887 and died a year later. Earl M. was born in July 1889, all at Ellensburg.
     In 1890-91 he was presiding elder located at Paloma, Wash. In 1892 the family was at Oaks, where Frank R. Spaulding, Jr., was added to their family of boys.
     Their next tome was in Para, Brazil, where Clin B. augmented their ranks in July 1894. Moving to Manoa, Brazil, they remained in charge of the work there until called back to the United States. At Manoa Angus A. was born November 1895 and Robert in January 1897.
     Their first daughter, Mary, joined the family in January 1900 and Fay in December 1902. Their youngest child, Malcolm Bruce, was born in 1906. After they return from Brazil the family was located in Rood River where the children made many friends among their schoolmates. Mr. Spaulding was sent to a charge in Idaho and was located there when a sad affliction came upon the family. On the 29th of July, 1909, Mrs. Spaulding accompanied her three younger sons to Granite Lake where the boys wanted to take a swim. Robert and Angus entered the water but soon something went wrong with Robert and Angus went to his assistance. He did not succeed in his efforts to help and the mother plunged in to rescue them, all going down together. The three year old boy ran home for help but it was too late. The bodies were recovered and given burial near their home.
     Mr. Spaulding was then assigned to the church at Pine Grove in Hood River Valley, which was like going home for he had a host of friends there to welcome him and greatly aided him in caring for his motherless family.
     On May 3, 1910, in the town of Hood River, Mr. Spaulding was married to Mrs. Mattie Winans Oiler, a woman of sterling qualities who faithfully filled a mother's place to his children as well as performing the duties of a minister's wife.
     Mr. Spaulding was assigned to various pulpits in Eastern Oregon and Washington in the ensuing years; at one time he suffered a protracted illness and his life was despaired of, then very slowly, health was restored and conference gave him easy places to fill and later placed him on the retired list of Methodist ministers. Mr. Spaulding had always led an active life and this arrangement did not suit him, and at his own request he was given work in Eastern Oregon where he continues to labor in his chosen field.

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