JOHN STOTTS. – While many have wrought faithfully and well in forwarding the interests of our county and in developing the resources that nature has lavishly bestowed here, there has none, doubtless, been more faithful and enterprising and steady in the prosecution of the industry that his hand found to do than the venerable pioneer, esteemed citizen and genial gentleman whose life’s history we now endeavor to chronicle in brief outline. Mr. Stotts has been well and favorably known here for over one-third of a century and is today beloved and cherished by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance.
On January 23, 1826, Mr. Stotts was born in Adair county, Kentucky, and the years of his minority were spent in the faithful service of his parents on their farm, and when he was twenty-two years of age he began action for himself on the plane of life’s battlefield. In the spring of 1850 he went to Missouri, taking a ranch in the southwest part of Spring River county and to the cultivation and improvement of this land he bent his energies for fourteen years and then sold it and with ox teams crossed the plains to Lagrande, landing here in the summer of 1864. He stopped in what was known as the old town, where he remained till 1883, doing a general cabinet-making business, having learned this trade in his younger years. At the date last mentioned he moved to his present beautiful home in the town of Lagrande .He owns two acres and has it most excellently cultivated and improved. He gives his attention to gardening and raising an orchard, having some fine trees. Mr. Stotts is diligent in the prosecution of his labor and has made his place a veritable garden in every respect. He has a comfortable and tasty home, and in company with his faithful wife is passing quietly, in enjoyment of his portion, the golden years of his life and is beloved and highly respected by all.
Mr. Stotts and Miss Elizabeth Dahoney, a native of Kentucky, were married in 1848, and they have been blessed by the birth of the following children: Nancy J., James, Pamelia, Janie, deceased; and Fanny. Mr. Stotts has always been a prominent member of the Methodist church since his residence in this part, and his life of uprightness and exemplification of the sterling principles and beautiful virtues of the Savior of mankind has been a light and encouragement to many on the pilgrim journey.