Historic Hood River
Billy and “Ma” Sunday
8-17-2016
Notes
Ruth Shafer took this fine candid photo of Billy and “Ma” Sunday at a picnic in 1921. Billy Sunday was a professional baseball player who became a popular evangelist. While he traveled nationwide, he had a ranch in Hood River to unwind.
Charlott
Ma was the power behind their ranch. She was the one that kept it going…..He actually didn’t spend all that much time here. However, when he was around he was asked to preach at various churches. He was know for his long winded sermons, that could do on and on and on.
Charlott
When his parents arrived from Germany the name was Sonntag, but changed it to Sunday. His father went off to the Civil War and very early on died of pneumonia. His mother, impoverished finally sent him to an orphans home where he spent many years. He did odd jobs when he was of age and finally ended up playing baseball prior to becoming an evangelist.
"Ma"s name was Helen, but they called her Nell. Maiden name was Thompson. They had three sons….
brian murray
glad to see you posting again Charlotte! I have a question for you. How do you know all this stuff? You can’t be old enough to remember all this history lol. I live in california but don’t hold that against me. i am hooked on my family genealogy and many of those people lived in hood river. Most all are gone now. Anyway, thanks to all who contribute. I enjoy this site every morning.
Jim Mason
"Just like Billy Sunday in his shotgun ragtime band…" Grateful Dead – Ramble on Rose.
Judy
I think she gets a lot of info from other sources, historical society etc. Glad she does the work do we can enjoy it.
Judy
I think Sunday Road is named after him. There is some of Sunday’s memorabilia @ the museum.
charlott
Yes, Sunday Road is named after him. Also, his house still remains if you know where to look on Sunday Road. I was fortunate to keep my ears peeled as a child and had a father and other family that was very knowledgeable about the area. One side of my family took up residence in Pine Grove in 1891 and the other in 1902. One portion of my family came to Klickitat Co. in 1873 and lived in the areas also of Biggs and Wasco. Both very interesting places in the old days. My family has left a wonderful paper trail concerning people and things in the area. Many wrote down a lot of information that has been inherited by me. I wrote down a lot of what I was told by family members when I was actually quite young, as was so very interested in the local area and people of old.
Ellen
Found out recently that Billy Sunday, born in Iowa, spent some time in the Soldier’s Orphan’s Home in Davenport, Iowa, about a mile from my childhood home. Craig Bishop presented a program about him in the summer of 2018 at the German Heritage Museum in Davenport.
Arthur
I didn’t realize he was from Iowa, but I do know he visited practically every corner of the country in his preaching years.
Susan Richards
My father grew up in Odell next to the Sunday’s ranch. Wilbur & Goldie Richards were my grandparents and their son, Howard Richards was my father. The Scott’s purchased Mr. Sunday’s ranch and Mrs. Scott was my dad’s teacher and Mr. Scott was my 4th grade teacher and principal of the now demolished Odell Grade School. I was told over the year’s that my father had been given Billy Sunday’s shotgun…
Bonnie Schnulle
My father and 11 of his silbings were all born on the Billy Sunday farm in Dundee Illinois. Ive been trying to find a picture of this place. Could you tell me where I might fine onr
Ellen
Bonnie, I would check with the historical society in Dundee, if it’s still there, or possibly one in nearby Elgin. Search, if you haven’t already, “Billy Sunday farm Dundee. Lots of info including a plaque that was erected at the site.