California
Biography of Warren P. Elmer, M. D.
Dr. Warren P. Elmer, M.D., born in Lodi, Ohio, on October 1, 1879, was a prominent figure in internal medicine. Educated at Stanford and the University of Michigan, he began his career at the University of Michigan before becoming an instructor at St. Louis University. Elmer specialized in internal medicine, contributing significantly to medical journals and holding key positions in various hospitals. He married Frances Jennings in 1915 and had three children, while actively participating in professional associations and community clubs.
Biography of Raymond Griffin Barnett
Raymond Griffin Barnett was born on October 8, 1882, in Carthage, Illinois. A distinguished World War I captain, he later pursued a legal career in Kansas City after graduating from Stanford University. Admitted to the bar in 1906, Barnett gained a reputation for his thoroughness and dedication. He was engaged in politics and previously ran for prosecuting attorney. Married to Martha Jones, he is involved in various social organizations and remains committed to civic duty and legal ethics.
Biography of William C. Carlton
William C. Carlton, born in 1834 in Maine, is a notable figure in Malheur County, Oregon. He moved westward in 1854, exploring opportunities in mining, wagon building, and farming before settling on a 220-acre homestead near Rockville in 1882. A successful stockman and general farmer, Carlton also ran a blacksmith shop and served as county assessor and postmaster. Married to Phoebe Basil in 1871, they raised six children. Active in local politics as a Republican, he is respected in his community for his contributions and integrity.
Biography of Archibald W. Turner
Archibald W. Turner, born on February 1, 1827, in Boone County, Missouri, became one of Malheur County’s prominent property owners, amassing 1,160 acres known for hay production. Educated in a log schoolhouse, he married Nancy March in 1848. After a challenging journey to California, he farmed and mined before homesteading near his current estate in 1869, where he raised sheep and cattle. A respected Democrat, Turner faced personal tragedy with the loss of his wife and daughter in 1863 but found solace in his large estate and community esteem.
Biographical Sketch of Albert J. Shea
Albert J. Shea, born on February 4, 1872, in Owyhee County, Idaho, is a notable figure in Malheur County’s stock industry. The son of prominent stockman Cornelius Shea, Albert has built a commendable reputation through hard work and dedication, drawing from his father’s legacy. Educated both in San Francisco and on the family farm, he now manages a 360-acre estate in Jordan Valley, where he raises cattle and horses. Married to Celia Cornners since 1896, they have one daughter, Genevieve.
Biography of Hon. Ransom Beers
Hon. Ransom Beers, born in Ohio in 1831, is a prominent pioneer noted for his integrity and enterprise. After experiencing early hardship, he ventured to California in pursuit of gold, achieving notable success in mining. He later moved to Oregon, where he developed his farmland and became a respected figure in agriculture. A dedicated community member, Beers served in the state legislature and remains active in fraternal organizations. He leads a contented life, valuing his independence and the accomplishments he has diligently built.
Biographical Sketch of Charles Smith
Charles Smith, a significant pioneer in Malheur County, was born on October 18, 1835, in Louisville, Kentucky. His family moved to Illinois when he was eight, and in 1854 he traveled to California to mine. After various mining ventures across the West, he settled in Malheur County in 1881, where he established a successful homestead focused on farming and stock raising. Married to Mary Ramsey in 1865, they have three children and continue to contribute to the region’s development.
Biographical Sketch of William Parks
William Parks, a distinguished pioneer of Malheur County, Oregon, was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1845. After moving west in 1859, he farmed in California and then mined in Idaho before establishing a prosperous homestead in Jordan Valley. A successful businessman, Parks ventured into mercantile in 1895, co-founding the Jordan Valley Mercantile Company. He held significant interests in local finance, including the Ontario Bank. Married in 1879 to Julia West, they had five children. Parks is recognized as a key figure in the county’s development and a respected community leader.
Biographical Sketch of Henry P. Tietsort
Henry P. Tietsort, born on October 14, 1829, in Cass County, Michigan, exemplified the spirit of the western pioneers. After a challenging youth, he journeyed across the plains to California in 1859, engaging in freighting and mining before settling near Nyssa in 1892. Tietsort contributed to local agriculture by developing his 43-acre farm and participated in the Pitt River and Selay Indian Wars. He married Lydia Carman in 1880, raising several children. Tietsort’s life reflects resilience and dedication to the frontier.
Biography of Thomas C. Fletcher
Thomas C. Fletcher, born on October 11, 1841, in Mercer County, Kentucky, emerged as a prominent figure in Malheur County, Oregon. Orphaned at six, he was raised in Iowa and enlisted in the Union Army during the Civil War, serving as a bugler in numerous battles. After the war, he ventured westward to Montana and later engaged in various businesses, including ranching and freighting. Married in 1884, he eventually settled in Ontario, where he became influential in the sheep industry and contributed to the community through his political and religious engagement.
Biographical Sketch of Elbert H. Clinton
Elbert H. Clinton, born in New York in 1834, journeyed through Wisconsin, Iowa, and California before settling in Silver City in 1863. As one of the first white settlers in Jordan Valley, he was a dedicated farmer and stockman, achieving notable success through hard work and savvy management. A respected and influential figure in the community, Clinton’s death in January 1900 marked the loss of a valued pioneer, leaving behind a legacy of integrity and commitment to the county’s affairs.
Biographical Sketch of George W. Clinton
George W. Clinton, born in 1837 in New York, exemplifies the spirit of pioneering in Malheur County. After his family migrated to Wisconsin and then traversed the perilous plains to California, Clinton settled in the Silver City area, eventually developing land near present-day Jordan Valley. His ventures in farming and ranching were marked by resilience, particularly during hardships like the 1863 Indian outbreak that cost him livestock. Today, he is recognized as a substantial landowner and cattleman, embodying the determination and accomplishments of early settlers.