Biography written by: Bill Bouchor

Grandmother and Grandfather Bouchor came out to California from Michigan around 1900-1910 with their family.There were 6 boys and two girls (one of which died of scarlet fever as a child). In Michigan Grandfather was a cook in logging camps and I was told that the loggers were rough and ready boys, many from foreign countries. They worked hard and expected Grandfather to be a good cook..which he was!

They first lived in Alameda California where Grandfather and one or two of the older boys worked on ships. His old ship caulking tools are on display at the Columbia River Maritime Museum in Astoria, Oregon.

They shortly moved to Linton, Oregon and soon after to St. Johns where the family home was for as long as I could remember. One of the older boys moved to Canada for the remainder of his life. They were a wonderful, close family who helped each other and their parents through the Great Depression and beyond. Grandfather was a sweet, gentle man who loved hunting and fishing with his boys. I can never remember him saying a bad word about anyone and he was greatly loved by everyone who knew him. He had a great sense of humor and always had a smile on his face. He lived to be 99 years old and was deer hunting well into his 90's! It was sad to see him have to bury his wife and most of his boys while he lived on. Grandmother was the quintessential large, jolly lady. Everyone loved and respected her as well. I can remember her laugh to this day! Her family was always playing pranks and jokes and she was forever getting after them but usually laughing all the way!

Christmas was always spent with our grandparents and was it ever a big event! With all the aunts, uncles and cousins there was always a happy fun-filled house! During the summer these same large family gatherings would venture to nearby lakes and swimming holes for fun and picnic meals. Sometimes many of them would be at our home where the adults would play cards, order in Chinese food and have a good time. Us kids would have our own fun then retire early!

Those were wonderful times and they left an impression that I will carry throughout my life! My four younger sisters can remember Grandfather about as well as I but Grandmother died when the youngest could barely remember. Of course we all knew our aunt and all the uncles, except the one who moved Canada, and it was ever so clear that they loved and respected their parents and each other. We were all ever so lucky to have such a foundation for our lives!


Bio submitted by: Bill and Lou Bouchor, November, 2004