Pioneer Farmer Passes Away
Enos Fisher Of Summerville, Laid To Rest
Came To La Grande When There Were Few Signs Of Civilization – Has Made Progress
The funeral of Enos Fisher, well known pioneer farmer of the Summerville district, was held this morning, interment being in the Summerville cemetery. Mr. Fisher had been bedfast about a week and death claimed him on Friday, December 10.
Mr. Fisher was born in Mecer County, Illinois, February 9, 1839, and while still a small child, was taken by his parents to Warren county, and thence to Indianapolis, Indiana, and then to Jefferson County, Iowa. His education was received form the various schools in these counties, and his youth was spent on the farm.
In 1862, Mr. Fisher began the tiresome and dangerous journey across the plains with ox team. His party came part of the way with a train bound for California and then the balance of the way was attended with some danger from the Indians, but they landed safely in La Grande. At that time La Grande was only a small settlement, three gardens and a few settlers being the only evidence of civilization in the valley. Supplies were brought from the Willamette valley and flour sold as high as $10 a sack in the valley.
Mr. Fisher worked for 50 cents a day as his remuneration at that time. He bought ha cabin and squatter’s right to the home place two and a half miles northwest of Summerville, where he has built up one of the most modern and comfortable homes of the valley.
Mr. Fisher helped to build the second stable in La Grande, cutting the logs for the purpose, and also spent some time in the mines of Idaho, and also on the headwaters of the Grande Ronde River, in a camp called Carson’s Diggings.
He has watched the development of the valley from the first, having started to work on his own unproven ground with a borrowed ax, maul and wedge.
In 1876 he was married to Sarah J. McDonald and to this union seven children were born, six of whom, with the widow, survive. The children are Columbus W. of Elgin, Walter C.of Colfax, Wash., Albert of Burley, Idaho, Mary Whitcomb of Summerville, George W. of Linnton, and Bessie of Summerville. All of the children but George of Linnton attended the funeral.
The Observer Newspaper La Grande, Oregon
Monday, December 13, 1920
Contributed by: Jan S. Gillespie