Oregon pioneers lost another from their ranks today in the death in Portland of Mary Virginia Howell, 91, who crossed the
plains from St. Joseph, Mo., in 1847. Mrs. Howell, who lived 72 years of her life in Canemah, had made her home since last
October with her daughter, Mrs. Minnie M. McGregor, at 6304 Southeast Eighteenth avenue, Portland.

Mary Virginia Willis, one of four children of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Willis, was born in St. Joseph, Mo., October 20, 1841.
With her parents, sister and brothers she crossed the plains in an oxen-drawn covered wagon driven by Robert C. Hackett, who
settled near Carver. Jacob Willis died shortly after he arrived in Oregon, and his widow married Samuel N. Vance, who had a
donation land claim at Mount Pleasant.

Mary Virginia Willis was married on November 11, 1866, to Josiah Howell, an early-day Oregon carpenter, who died in
February, 1912, at the age of 83. Mr. Howell at one time was offered the block on which the Hotel Portland now stands as
compensation for a day's work at his trade. He helped to build many railroad trestles and bridges along the Columbia river and
in the Willamette valley.

Mrs. Howell, who for more than 45 years was a member of Willamette Rebekah lodge in this city, was the last of the old-time
pioneers of the pioneer village of Canemah, just south of this city.

She leaves five children: William H. Howell of this city, Joseph Howell of Los Angeles, George E. Howell of Clackamas, Mrs.
Minnie M. McGregor of Portland and Mrs. Myrtle C. Martyn of Portland. She also leaves 12 grandchildren: William B. Howell of
this city, Charles Simple of Fresno, Cal., Samuel and Benjamin Jagger of Portland, Henry Jagger of Seaside, Myrtle Fones and
Bessie Manon of Portland, Wallace Martyn of Chicago, George E. Howell Jr. of Clackamas, W. H. McGregor of Portland, Laura Cundle
of Seattle and Mary Dotson of Prairie City, Or. Thirteen great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson also remain.

Funeral services will be held Saturday at 2 PM, at the Holman, Pace & Hankins mortuary.