An Illustrated history of Union and Wallowa Counties: with a brief outline of the early history of the state of Oregon. Western Historical Pub. Co., 1902.
This collection contains 263 biographies from the manuscript An Illustrated history of Union and Wallowa Counties: with a brief outline of the early history of the state of Oregon depicting early Oregonians.
Deceased. – While it is the province of our volume to give mention of the leading citizens of Wallowa county, it also comes within the purview of the work to grant to such as the noble and esteemed citizen, whose name appears above, a memoir, and it is with especial delight that we are privileged to do so at this time, since he was one of the builders of the county, and one who held in becoming manner the position of leader for many years, being eminently fitted for that capacity, both by marked capabilities, great energy and force of … Read more
WILLIAM W. RANDALL is one of the early pioneers of the country now embraced in Union county, and he has spent much of his life here, having gained a good distinction in two different lines. He is now one of the substantial agriculturists of the county, and in earlier days he spent many years in the calling of the educator with marked success. William W. was born in Indiana, on October 28, 1852, being the son of Abraham and Lucinda (Olophant) Randall. The family removed to Iowa in 1853, settling in Marshall county, where they were called to mourn the … Read more
WILLIAM TILLMAN – We have before us in the person of the subject one of those hardy, intrepid and commendable pioneers, who wrought in this section for its development, wresting it from the grasp of the savages and fitting it for the abode of man. Especially is our subject to be mentioned in this capacity, since he came here yound and vigorous and wrought constantly here for nearly half a century, enduring all the hardships known to frontier existence, displaying an astuteness, energy, and ability, coupled with faithfulness and integrity that have commended him to the graces and hearts of … Read more
WILLIAM T. WALLSINGER. – It is very gratifying to find that as the old pioneers lay down the noble work that they were doing in this couhty, and go hence to the rewards of another world, there are those left behind, whose willing hearts and strong hands will take up the toil of development nad continue to build in a becoming manner on the broad and deep foundation that those faithful hands laid, perhaps even better than they then knew. One such, a product of Union county, and a son of whom his native place may well be proud, is … Read more
WILLIAM ROTH. – Many of the most esteemed and thrifty citizens of our land have come from Germany, whence also came the subject of this sketch, and as is customary with that worthy race of people, Mr. Roth has ever displayed a talent for business and a vigor in prosecuting the same that have placed him among the heaviest property owners of the county, and as a leader in his line of industry, that of designer and builder, while also he has handled successfully a number of ventures in real estate and in the stock business that have resulted in … Read more
WILLIAM PROEBSTEL. – In the word, pioneer, is wrapped more real substance and genuine meaning than perhaps in any other word of the English language. Its pronunciation brings vividly before us weary days of marching through the trackles wastes of western desert, enduring the pain of hunger, thirst and waning strength, although courage was never less to the pioneer and the buoyancy of hope never shone dimmer than when first its vision lured him to turn his face from civilization hired him to turn his face from civilization and begin the pilgrim journey toward the setting sun. What scenes of … Read more
WILLIAM McILROY. – The active and capable gentleman whose name appears above, is one of Union county’s progressive and enterprising stockmen and agriculturists, having wrought here as well as elsewhere with display of ability and sagacity that commend him to all lovers of thrift and industry and which have resulted in the accumulation of a goodly portion of property and the placing of our subject among the most prominent and influential men of this section, while his integrity and uprightness are commensurate with his other characteristics. Iowa City, Iowa, is the birth place of our subject, and July 27, 1861, … Read more
To the capable and enterprising citizen whose name initiates this paragraph we are pleased to accord a representation in the history of Wallowa County, since he has trod the path of the pioneer in a worthy manner, displaying constantly qualities of moral worth and value, and has achieved a success in temporal affairs that is commendable and praiseworthy, being the meed of continuity in wisely directed effort and energy and sagacity in all of his ways, and consequently it is very fitting that he should be placed today as one of the prominent men of the county, which position he … Read more
WILLIAM M. WINN. – Although the subject of this sketch has not been domiciled within the borders of Union county a sufficient length of time to be called a pioneer, still he has been here long enough to thoroughly demonstrate to all that he is a man of capabilitities and enterprise and favored with those qualities that make the upright man and substantial citizen, while his industry and thrift are apparent, as well as his good judgment and financial foresight. On December 28, 1858, he was born to Thomas G. and Phoebe (Orton) Winn, in Springville, Utah, and there he … Read more
WILLIAM M. STOKER. – Among the enterprising and industrious stockmen and agriculturists who have been successful in their endeavors in Union county we are constrained to mention the gentleman whose name initiates this paragraph, and who is to-day one of the leaders in his line in the county. A man of good executive ability, with qualities of determination and stability, he has met the forces of the business world and there demonstrated his capabilities in a winning manner that has given him the competence of the prosperous, as well as the favor and esteem of his fellows. In Jackson county, … Read more
WILLIAM L. FUGATE. – The well known and representative citizen whose name is at the head of this article is one of the men who have wrought assiduously for the advancement of Union county and especially of the section where he has been domiciled, being one of the leading citizens of Summerville, where he holds the responsible position of justice of the peace, and also operates a collection agency as well as attending to much business as an underwriter, being one of the highly respected and highly esteemed men of the town. Mr. Fugate was introduced to this life on … Read more
While many brave men and noble women form the ranks of the worthy pioneers who fitted this country for the settlement of their fellows and have made the county of Wallowa what it is today, there is none that surpasses the venerable and upright gentleman and loyal and patriotic citizen whose name initiates this paragraph and who has wrought with intelligence and enterprise in this county for many years, and who was one of the valorous army of brave and devoted men that left home and loved ones to press on to the front and take up the weapons of … Read more
William Jasper Reece Jr., youngest son of William J. (Sr..) and Hannah Reece, was born December 20, 1869 in Oran Township, Logan County, Illinois. He married Margaret Ann Cox (born December 5, 1870 in Madison Co.., Kentucky, daughter of Dillard and Mary (Cobb) Cox.) on December 20, 1891 in Atlanta, Illinois. They had twelve children: Alma Lois, Lacy D., Wilbur McKinley, Marjorie Della, Deward (Della’s twin who died at birth), Floyd Keith, Harvey Emerson, William Homer, Howard (Homer’s twin who died a few weeks after birth), Amos Miller, Mary Hannah, and Wayne Travette. W. J. and Margaret moved from Logan … Read more
Although the subject of this sketch has not resided in Oregon as long as some within Wallowa County, still he is nevertheless a true pioneer, having wrought with faithfulness for the welfare of other sections and since coming to this region has made commendable efforts in the development of the resources of the county and in the material progress of the same, while he has ever manifested excellent capabilities and showed both zeal and integrity, coupled with which are sound principles and sagacity that dominate a tireless energy and constant industry. Mr. Beach was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, on … Read more
WILLIAM I. DISHMAN. – This work purporting as it does to give in review the careers of the leading and substantial men of this county, would be quite incomplete were there failure to mention in proper form the influential and progressive business man of Elgin whose name appears at the head of this article, and whose well known vigor and ability in the business world are recognized by all, being at the present time vice-president and resident manager of the well known G.M.&S. Company, and one-third owner of the capital stock, which company does a large business in general merchandise … Read more
WILLIAM G. PEACH. – There is no doubt but there should be special mention in this volume of the abiding chronicles of Union county, of the capable and venerable citizen, whose name appears at the head of this article, and it is with pleasure that we accord to him space for the epitome of an interesting and eventful career, since his abilities are worthy of such, and since his success has been achieved by meritorious effort, and since his character is upright, stanch, and worthy to be exemplified. Mr. Peach was born in the Green Mountain State, at Newbury, Orange … Read more
WILLIAM FINE. – Any compilation that purports to chronicle the careers of the leading men of Union and Wallowa counties would be open to great criticism, were there failure to incorporate therein an epitome of the gentleman, whose name initiates this paragraph, since he is one of the most influential and prominent men of this entire section, being well known over the two counties and as highly esteemed as he is widely known: and since he has achieved a good success here in various enterprises, thus demonstrating his ability to handle the affairs of the business world in a winning … Read more
WILLIAM ECCLES. – Among the giants of achievement in our county perhaps there are none that stand higher in the estimation of the people, while he manipualtes great business interests not only that are vitally connected with the welfare of our county but that are far reaching in the great industries of the land, that he of whom we would attempt to give in brief review the salient points of his life’s history. Great breadth of comprehension, coupled with keen financial foresight and fine executive ability, together with excellent judgment in the business affairs of men, are some of the … Read more
WILLIAM ARNOLD. – One of the best known men in northeastern Oregon, capable and upright, a pioneer of the country and one who has faithfully done his part in the development of the same, having met the dangers and hardships and self-denials incident to a life on frontiering in this region in early days, the subject of this article is eminently fitted for representation in this volume, and it is with pleasure that we accord space to him, and we desire to add that in connection with his abilities and courage, he has manifested excellent moral qualities and integrity that … Read more