It is with pleasure that we are enabled to incorporate in the volume of the history of the County of Malheur an epitome of the career of the estimable gentleman, careful and capable business man, and sturdy pioneer of this section, since he is a man of ability, has shown commendable zeal in the development of the country, has gained’ a handsome holding in this County, is a man of sound principles, and well known for integrity and uprightness.
The birth of Mr. Hope occurred in Brookville, Vernon County, Wisconsin, on August 31, 1859 his parents being George W. and Emeline (Williams) Hope. The account of the father’s noble service in the war of the rebellion, the mother’s moves to Kansas and so forth, are mentioned in another portion of this work and need not he repeated here. Our subject was educated in the common schools and later took a course in the Institute at Atchison, Kansas. He went with his mother to Kansas, Brown County, in 187o, in 1873, went to Norton County, and in 188o he went to Colorado, and the following year, his brother, Isaiah, mention of whom is made in this book, came and they went into partnership, in which they have continued since. In 1882 they came to Wood River, Idaho, and the next year they came to Malheur County, each entering a homestead in the vicinity of Vale. In 1887 they started a merchandise establishment with a capital of one hundred dollars, and here was brought out the real metal of the brothers for it was but a short time before their fair and deferential treatment of patrons brought them such a large trade that they had a fine store and about forty thousand dollars’ worth of goods. Such is their business record in short and in part.
In addition to this commendable showing they have large interests in the First Bank of Vale, own seven hundred acres of land and sixty acres on which are situated the famous hot springs known now as the Hope Geysers, which have heretofore been a landmark since the white men first came to this country. Politically, Mr. Hope is a stanch Republican, casting his first vote for James A. Garfield in Colorado and walking sixteen miles to the polls. He has served on the school board for thirteen years thus manifesting his untiring zeal for the welfare of the educational interests of the County. He has been mayor of the town for two terms and for eight years he was postmaster. It is of note that in 1887-8 our subject was in business with his older brother, John A., but finding the need of further training in the school he sold out and went to the institute mentioned ,,a move and after that graduated from the Bryant & Chapman Commercial College Of St. Joseph Missouri, then followed the successful career that has been out-lined.
The marriage of Mr. Hope and Miss Emma H., daughter of Francis and Sarah J. High occurred at Norton. Kansas, and three children have been born to bless the happy household: Leslie L. Elizabeth, and the baby, not yet named. Mr. Hope is past grand of the I. O. O. F. Vale Lodge. No. Too, and was first chief patriarch of Malheur Encampment of Vale. Mr. Hope is to-day one of the men who enjoys the respect and esteem of the population of Malheur County and is entitled to much credit for the enterprising labors which he has per-formed here, and the zeal manifested for the welfare of the town, schools, and County in general, while his own large business interests as vice-president of the First Bank, manager of the Vale Milling Company of which he and his brother own one-half interest, and numerous other industries, are attended to with the same care, geniality, keen foresight, and good practical wisdom that have always characterized him in all his walk.