Illustrated History of Union and Wallowa Counties Oregon Collections – Page 2 of 14

Biography of Werner A. Wrenn

Among the agriculturists and business men of Wallowa County, the subject of this sketch stands as a leader, having manifested capabilities that justly entitle him to that position, while also he possesses an adaptability and perseverance coupled with energy, that have enabled him to handle large interests and manipulate them in a manner that brings success, while also his characteristic integrity and stanch principles of truth and uprightness have given him a prestige enviable and commendable. Mr. Wrenn was born in Benton County, Oregon, on March 3, 1866, being the son of John and Elizabeth (Watt) Wrenn, natives respectively of … Read more

Biography of Wallace Fairbank

WALLACE FAIRBANK. – The subject of this sketch is one of the substantial and capable men of Union county, and one who showed the metal of which he was made at the time Columbia called for sons to avenge her insult and to put down the minions of rebellion, at which time he responded and did good service until the work was completed and he was honorably discharged, carrying, however, until this day the serious effects of his service and the wounds that he received. Mr. Fairbank was born in St. Lawrence county, New York on July 27, 1848, being … Read more

Biography of Tolbert T. Glenn

TOLBERT T. GLENN. – An amiable and intelligent gentleman who has wrought faithfully for the progress and development of Union county since the time that there has been a Union county, the subject of this sketch is by right entitled to representation in this history of his section, and we are pleased to accord to him space for an epitome of an interesting career that has done much for the country, both by actual endeavor and bright example, while his unqualified success demonstrates the ability with which he has wrought, being today one of the largest farmers in the valley. … Read more

Biography of Thomas Tanner

THOMAS TANNER. – A representative and enterprising agriculturist of Union county, the subject of this sketch stands high in the estimation of his fellows and has won, by his straightforwardness and upright life the confidence and esteem of all, while in his business career he has displayed energy and wisdom and a staunchness of purpose and thoroughness of execution that are praiseworthy and have brought their sure rewards in a competence of this world’s goods. Like so many of our thrifty and substantial citizens, Mr. Tanner was a native of England, being born on August 9, 1831, in Newbury, Berkshire … Read more

Biography of Thomas N. Estes

Wallowa county owes her prosperity and prominent position today more to the intelligent, progressive and capable farmers and stockmen within her borders than to any other class of individuals. She was especially fortunate in that there assembled here men and women from all parts of the country who were wide awake to the advantages offered and of courage and vigor sufficient to endure the hardships and develop the resources that nature had so lavishly bestowed here. Among this enterprising class there must not be failure to specifically mention the capable gentleman whose name introduces our article and to whom we … Read more

Biography of Thomas Morgan

In the course of the compilation of the history of Wallowa and Union counties, it is now our pleasant privilege to give in brief outline the career of the well known and enterprising stockman, whose name is at the head of this article: and it is with pleasure that we embrace the opportunity, since we are assured that he is a man that is fitted in every way to be thus represented in his county’s history, having labored here for a number of years in the good work of developing the country and in prosecuting substantial industries, as farming and … Read more

Biography of Thomas M. Lathrope

We regret that space forbids a more extended and minute account of the career of the estimable gentleman and worthy pioneer that has been named at the beginning of this article, but we desire to especially mention that in capabilities he stands among the leading men of the county, while his endeavors have always been attended with energy and skill and also it is becoming to here state that when the demon of fratricidal strife had rented the fair land in twain and our banner of liberty’s throne was trailing in the dust our subject was one of the noble … Read more

Biography of Thomas Jones

THOMAS JONES. – It is a noted principle, that in the degree in which one is called to endure hardship and successfully surmounts all obstacles and triumphs over every opposition, in that degree is his character strengthened and his forces of real manhood brought out. May it not be that because of the application of this principle, we have in so many of the early pioneers of this wealthy county, such fine specimens of genuine manhood and especially developed in the virtues mentioned. Well known among this worthy number is the esteemed gentleman, whose name initiates this paragraph, and who … Read more

Biography of Thomas Higginbotham

THOMAS HIGGINBOTHAM – The representative and well known gentleman whose name appears at the head of this article has been a resident of Union County for more than a score of years, and he is to-day numbered with the most substantial and influential citizens here, and his home place, a farm two miles northwest from Elgin, displays industry and thrift, coupled with which are his stanch qualities of worth and moral excellence. On March 17, 1856, in Wayne county, Kentucky, our Subject was born to James and Priscilla (Cullum) Higginbotham, natives also of the Blue Grass State. In 1863 the … Read more

Biography of Thomas H. Gilham

THOMAS H. GILHAM. – Although born in another state, the subject of this sketch is practically a product of Union county, being educated here and here achieving the success that has attended him in his labors, while he has ever manifested a stanch and unswerving integrity and adherence to the principles of uprightness, laboring for the advancement and upbuilding of the county, as well as prosecuting with vigor and sagacity the private business enterprises that have occupied him. Thomas H. Gilham was born in Siskiyou county, California, on February 13, 1858, being the son of Calvit A. and Almeda (Howell) … Read more

Biography of Thomas H. Crawford

THOMAS H. CRAWFORD. – While Union county enjoys especial favor in possesing a large, well informed, and enterprising class of citizens who fill the walks of the industrial and professional callings she is to be congratulated in having such substantial, broad minded and capable devotees of the legal profession. Prominent in this number, and deserving of a large share of honor for his faithful and successful labors in the courts and in the manipulation of the affairs of the county, and also in a measure of the state politics wherein he has bestowed much care and thought for the welfare … Read more

Biography of Thomas B. Johnson

THOMAS B. JOHNSON. – To the honest tiller of the soil and raiser of stock in this county we are largely indebted for its steady growth and substantial development in the augmenting of its wealth and the tapping of its resources. This class of Union’s citizens are to be congratulated on their faithful and successful efforts, and as one prominent in these industries, we surely must mention the gentleman, whose name is at the head of this article and who has wrought with energy and assiduity in the prosecution of these enterprises steadily for a long period of years. Thomas … Read more

Biography of Sulvanas J. White

SULVANAS J. WHITE is a well known resident of Union county, near the town of Lagrande, having been identified with the industrial life of that city for some time and having also operated in the mercantile business here, being attended with success and also manifesting his characteristic ability and integrity during his residence here, while also he is one of the pioneers of the northwest, as his father was also, and has wrought for many years in the development and for the progress of this and adjoining states. Charles F. and Elizabeth (Buchanan) White are the parents of our subject, … Read more

Biography of Silas W. Koger

SILAS W. KOGER is one of the prominent and capable farmers of Union county, who has done a good part in its development and has maintained a reputation untarnished and displayed ability and integrity in all of his endeavors that are becoming and commend him to all who are lovers of the upright and desirous of progress. Our subject’s father was a native of Kentucky, as also the mother. While quite young the father began the task of getting an education by unaided effort, which to his praise be it said he accomplished in a becoming manner. His birth occurred … Read more

Biography of Samuel Wade

Few men have achieved a better success in Wallowa County, than the industrious and enterprising agriculturist and stockman, whose name appears at the head of this article. Mr. Wade came to the territory now embraced in the county in an early day and with the energy, sagacity, and sound practical judgment of which he is possessed so abundantly, he assiduously set to work to develop the resources here found and to add wealth to the county’s assessment, while he prosecuted the industries above referred to. During these years that have since intervened he has steadily pursued his way and is … Read more

Biography of Samuel M. Horrell

SAMUEL M. HORRELL. – This venerable and esteemed citizen and intrepid pioneer of different sections is descended from the stanch blood that first wrested this new continent from the thralldom of savagery. His ancestors were among the colonists that settled in the wilds of America and her fostered that spirit of freedom and independence that later gave us our free institutions, and his grandfather on his father’s side fought through the entire Revolution under General Washington, and our subject has inherited the same courage and energy and has manifested through a life of adventure and incident the qualities that have … Read more

Biography of Samuel F. Newhard

SAMUEL F. NEWHARD. – This venerable and esteemed citizen of Union county and resident of Lagrande is one of the worthy pioneers that hewed a way into the regions of the west and left a trail where others might follow to reap the good and that had been tapped by these hardy and intrepid predecessors. From the first days when he pressed the sod in this county until the present he has been in the vanguard of progress and his efforts have brought many dollars of wealth to the county, and his wise counsels have aided materially in shaping the … Read more

Biography of Samuel D. Cole

When the history of Wallowa County is written, the names of the pioneers are first, when the history of our nation is written let the names of those who fought her battles appear first. In both of these commendable positions appears the gentleman whose name heads this paragraph, and it is with especial (sic) pride and pleasure that we grant him representation in this volume. He was one of those noble men who assisted to open this county; and when dark clouds hung thick over our nation, the banner had been subjected to insult, and freedom’s institutions were trembling before … Read more

Biography of Samuel A. Pursel

SAMUEL A. PURSEL. – Union county’s list of business men comprises a wide awake and energetic class that has wrought well for the advancement of the county and among the number are some that have manifested extraordinary ability in financiering and in manipulating the resources of the county. One of this distinguished number is the gentleman, of whom we have the pleasure now to write, and his enterprise and industry have been well known for a third of a century in the walks of business life in this country, while his capabilities have been shown to be second to none … Read more

Biography of Sabe Choate

SABE CHOATE. – A man who had the ability, force of character and perseverance to master two distinct lines of industry as has the subject of this sketch, besides being able to handle successfully the same with added lines of enterprise and to bring prosperity out of it all is surely deserving of the approbation of his fellows, which it is right to say Mr. Choate has received in no unstinted measure, being at the present time one of the substantial and highly respected citizens of Union county. In Fenders county, Tennessee, on April 13, 1825, our subject was born … Read more