The subject of the following article is one of the stanch and loyal citizen of Wallowa county, where he has wrought for advancement and progress shoulder to shoulder with the best men in the county and has demeaned himself in a commendable manner meanwhile, having ever been led by his characteristic sagacity, prudence and practical judgment. It is also one of the distinctions that belongs to Mr. McFetridge, that when Columbia called for sons to stand for her honor and defend her banner in the Civil war, he stepped quickly to the front and showed his mettle in military service of merit and valor.
Our subject, J. C. McFetridge, entered this life on December 22, 1844, in Smith county, Virginia, being the son of Ephriam and Armanda (Myers) McFetridge, natives respectively, of Pennsylvania and Virginia. The father was a farmer and schoolteacher and removed from Virginia to eastern Tennessee. His career ended at Maynardsville, in that state, where his remains sleep peacefully at the present time. In 1863 Mr. McFetridge crossed the mountains from east Tennessee to Kentucky and found the United States troops at Condon. He hired to work for the government as teamster, being in Bowman’s brigade, Second Division, Ninth Corps, under General Burnside. He was once called from his labors as teamster to fight Morgan’s command. After the war he returned to his home in eastern Tennessee. In 1870 he migrated to Wilson County, Kansas, where he engaged in farming and stock raising for nine years, then removed to Harper County for two years. It was in 1881 that he came to Oregon, settling on Prairie creek, and since that time he has been numbered with the leading citizens of Wallowa County and has made a commendable record for himself. He sold his original place and removed to his present place, three miles east of Enterprise, taking a homestead. Later he added by purchase until his estate is of the generous proportion of four hundred and eighty acres. His attention is principally devoted to raising stock and also some energy is given to general farming.
On October 10,1869, Mr. McFetridge married Miss Martha J. Johnson, in Union county, Tennessee, and they have become the parents of the following offspring: Lockie; Robert, deceased; Cordialia; William H.; Millard; Frederick, Joseph, deceased; Elvin; Elmer; John; Cheser; Effie. Mrs. McFetridge was born on January 16, 1853. Our subject and his estimable wife are members of the Christian church and are conscientious and devout followers of the tenets of their faith and have lived a practical Christian life and the time of their residence here has been fraught with virtues that have commended them to the good will and admiration of all.