Iowa

Biography of George M. Cannon

George M. Cannon, born on September 3, 1863, in Iowa, became a prominent figure in Wallowa County, Oregon. He moved to the area with his family in 1872 and began working at a young age. After various occupations, he homesteaded near Flora in 1885. Cannon developed a successful 240-acre farm and became well-respected for his diligence and integrity. He married Mira F. Stanley in 1891, and they had five children. Known for his community spirit, Cannon’s contributions have made a lasting impact on the county’s development.

Biography of James W. Chenoweth

James W. Chenoweth, born April 10, 1860, in Iowa, exemplified a progressive spirit and strong integrity throughout his life. After graduating from Agricultural College in Kansas, he pursued carpentry, working for notable companies before homesteading in Wallowa County, Oregon. Chenoweth married Amanda A. Parrish in 1884, raising six children together and actively participating in community and church activities. He passed away from pneumonia in 1901, leaving a legacy of respect and admiration in the community, with his widow continuing to contribute positively to society.

Biography of Samuel D. Cole

Samuel D. Cole, born May 30, 1843, in Tennessee, was a significant pioneer of Wallowa County and a dedicated soldier in the Civil War, enlisting at 19 in the Thirty-ninth Volunteer Iowa Infantry. He fought valiantly in multiple battles, enduring captivity and sustaining only a minor wound. After the war, he settled in Iowa and then Nebraska before moving to the Grande Ronde valley in 1879. Cole, an esteemed agrarian, was married to Lucy Greenfield and fathered several children. He is remembered for his integrity and contributions to his community.

Biography of James D. Halsey

James D. Halsey, born in 1839 in New York, exemplifies the pioneering spirit of Wallowa County. After his family’s relocation to Iowa and Missouri, he enlisted in the Sixteenth Wisconsin Infantry during the Civil War, serving under Sherman. Post-war, he migrated west, arriving in Oregon in 1877, where he established a successful farm in Wallowa County. A devoted family man, Halsey married Candis Nelson, fathering six children. He is respected in the community for his agricultural achievements and civic engagement, particularly in education.

Biography of Lemuel L. Hambelton

Lemuel L. Hambelton, born on October 21, 1835, in Ohio, is a distinguished pioneer and veteran who significantly contributed to the development of Union and Wallowa counties. After learning carpentry and blacksmithing, he enlisted in the Civil War, bravely serving nearly five years. Post-war, he settled in Oregon, where he established a successful farm and raised eleven children with his wife, Johana. A lifelong Republican, he remains actively engaged in community affairs and is recognized for his commitment and contributions to local history.

Biographical Sketch of Frank W. Heskett

Frank W. Heskett, born on December 1, 1856, in Iowa, moved to northeastern Oregon as a child. His family settled in the Grande Ronde valley, where he grew up on a frontier farm, developing skills that contributed to his later success. He married Elizabeth Bay in 1882, and they had four children. In 1885, Heskett relocated to Wallowa Valley, improving a substantial farm. He also ran a feed stable and hotel and served as deputy sheriff, demonstrating integrity and commitment to the community.

Biography of Frank S. Johnson

Frank S. Johnson, born on October 30, 1861, in Iowa, was a prominent figure in Wallowa County, known for his commitment to community development and moral integrity. After relocating to California and working in various trades, he settled in Flora in 1888, where he homesteaded and founded the town. Johnson actively engaged in local politics and education, promoting advancements in his district. He married Anna Kuhn in 1886, and together they contributed significantly to their church and community, earning widespread respect.

Biographical Sketch of Ludwig Knapper

Ludwig Knapper, born on April 9, 1853, in Whiteside County, Illinois, to German immigrants, established himself as a prominent and successful figure in Wallowa County. After managing his father’s estate, he farmed in Iowa before moving westward. Settling in Umatilla County, he later partnered in Wallowa County to develop their farming success. Knapper purchased a 1,520-acre estate in 1898 and became a leading sheepman. He married Ellen Jennings in 1880, and they had four children, contributing to his esteemed reputation.

Biography of John A. Lanman

John A. Lanman, born on October 23, 1859, in Wayne County, Iowa, became a prominent figure in Wallowa County, Oregon, known for his successful career as a racehorse jockey. He began riding at age 14 and achieved remarkable success until he transitioned to farming at 23. In 1899, he married Hattie Southwell, and they had one daughter, Maud. Lanman also engaged in local politics, serving as constable and road supervisor, while maintaining fraternal affiliations with the Masons and I.O.O.F.

Biographical Sketch of John B. Lent

John B. Lent, born December 27, 1854, in Iowa, is a significant figure in Wallowa County, known for his integrity and business acumen. After acquiring a homestead near Lostine in 1878, he worked diligently in agriculture and stock-raising for twelve years. Following a brief period in California, he returned to Wallowa County, renting and later purchasing a farm. Lent’s contributions to the county’s development and his successful ranching endeavors underscore his standing as a prominent local figure.

Biography of William Makin

William Makin, born in Pennsylvania in 1837, exemplified the pioneer spirit in Wallowa County. After moving to Indiana, he ventured to Iowa, and in 1862, led a large wagon train to the Pacific coast. Makin married three times, fathering numerous children. He initially farmed in Grande Ronde Valley but later sold his ranch to establish a successful farm near Enterprise, known for its sheep and crop production. A community leader, he supported morality, education, and various religious causes, earning respect as a moral beacon.

Biography of Lorenzo Bacon

Lorenzo Bacon, born on December 23, 1858, in Pleasant Grove, Minnesota, was a pioneering settler in Wallowa County, recognized for his contributions to the area’s development. He traveled with his family across various states before arriving in Baker City and ultimately settling in the Wallowa Valley in 1884. Bacon established a well-improved farm and married Hattie Rogers in 1897, with whom he had two children. His integrity and dedication to the community have made him a respected figure in the region.

Biography of Chancy Akin

Chancy Akin, born on March 23, 1812, in New York, embodies the spirit of a pioneer, having navigated the hardships of frontier life across multiple states. From his military service in the Black Hawk War to his role in establishing Chicago’s first log cabin, Akin’s contributions to the development of various regions are notable. He married Laney Golden in 1836, and they had five children. Now in his ninety-first year, Akin remains a respected figure in Wallowa County, known for his enduring character and vitality.

Biographical Sketch of Banks, W. E.

W. E. Banks, born in 1855 in Putnam County, Indiana, moved to Kansas in 1877, where he established a drug store in Russell with a stock valued at $5,000. He began his career in 1874 as a clerk in a drug store and became Mayor of Russell, as well as a member of the City Council in 1878. Married to Emma Crist, they have two sons, Emmett E. and Eugene O. Banks is also a member of the Russell Lodge, No. 119, I. O. O. F.

Biographical Sketch of Banker,Louis

Louis Banker arrived in Russell in 1876, managing a general store owned by G. A. Hart for five years. He later became a partner in Giddings, Banker & Co., which commenced operations on September 14, 1881, with a merchandise stock valued at about $8,000. The partnership included Banker, R. S. Giddings, and M. A. Blaine. Born in 1858 in Belleville, Canada West, Banker moved with his family to Wisconsin in 1864 and later to Cass County, Iowa, before settling in Kansas.

Biographical Sketch of Harshbarger, C. M.

C. M. Harshbarger, born in 1841 in Indiana, moved to Russell in 1870, becoming its first settler. He engaged in farming and was elected County Clerk in 1873, holding the position with one term of absence until 1880. A Civil War veteran, he served in the Second Illinois Volunteer Infantry and was married in 1876, having four children. Harshbarger remains actively involved in local governance as Deputy Clerk of the District Court and is a member of the I.O.O.F. lodge.

Biography of Benton Killin

Benton Killin, born in Iowa in 1842 and raised in Oregon, emerged as a notable figure in Portland. After overcoming health issues and serving in the 1st Oregon Cavalry during the Civil War, he pursued a legal career, eventually becoming a respected land lawyer and partner in one of the state’s leading law firms. Married with two children, Killin is known for his sound judgment and strong principles, earning a reputation for integrity. While a Democrat, he remains politically independent, valuing friendship and honor throughout his life and career.

Biography of William H. Saylor, M.D.

William H. Saylor, M.D., born in Iowa in 1843, moved to Oregon with his family in 1852. After a youth marked by mining and schooling, he enlisted in the First Oregon Infantry during the Civil War. He studied medicine at Willamette University, graduating in 1869, and later earned further credentials from Bellevue Hospital Medical College. Saylor established a successful practice in Portland, contributing to the Oregon State Medical Society and holding several significant medical and educational positions, while also engaging in politics and community service.

Biography of Henry H. Northup

Henry H. Northup was born in Berkshire, Massachusetts, on February 27, 1839. After his father’s death, he helped support his family while pursuing education. He taught school before studying law and serving in the First Iowa Infantry during the Civil War. Northup graduated from Columbia College Law School in 1868 and relocated to Portland, Oregon, where he practiced law, gaining recognition in corporate law. He briefly entered politics, successfully influencing legislation, while maintaining a reputation for integrity and dedication to his profession and community.

Biography of Samuel Coulter

Samuel Coulter, born in Virginia in 1832, faced early hardships with the loss of his parents, leading him to Iowa and later Oregon. After arriving in Oregon City in 1850 with minimal resources, he ventured into mining and cattle business, eventually engaging in real estate and various enterprises, including the Esmond Hotel and the Northwest Coal and Transportation Company. A Republican, though not politically active, he held the position of internal revenue collector. Coulter is noted for his business acumen, philanthropy, and commitment to his family and community.