Malheur County OR

Biographical Sketch of George G. Brown

George G. Brown, born on January 22, 1850, in Platt County, Missouri, emerged as a prominent farmer near Nyssa, Oregon. He grew up in Kansas and Missouri, where he experienced the tensions of the pro-slavery era. After marrying Margaret D. Cary in 1874, they relocated to Texas before journeying to Idaho in 1888. Brown cultivated a successful homestead, utilizing water from the Owyhee ditch and establishing a thriving farm. A member of the K. of P. and a Democratic activist, he raised a large family and contributed to his community.

Biographical Sketch of Joseph H. Tague

Joseph H. Tague, born on July 13, 1841, in Ripley County, Indiana, is recognized as a distinguished soldier and prosperous farmer in Malheur County. He enlisted in the Sixth Indiana Infantry during the Civil War, enduring significant hardships and sustaining a serious injury. After the war, he married Martha E. Wise in 1865 and ventured to Nebraska, eventually settling in Dell, where he developed a successful farm. A Republican and advocate for education, Tague is revered for his contributions to both his community and his country.

Biographical Sketch of Edward Beam

Edward Beam, born on January 18, 1874, in Missouri, embodies the spirit of the West through his dedicated farming and stock raising in northern Malheur County. His family moved to the area shortly after his birth, where Edward was educated and developed a deep understanding of the land. Married to Eucibia McPherson in 1899, he is a respected figure in the community, known for his integrity and active involvement in local affairs. Beam’s successful endeavors reflect his hard work and commitment to the county’s progress.

Biographical Sketch of William J. Van Lindburgh, Jr.

William J. Van Lindburgh, Jr., born on September 12, 1878, in Rotterdam, Holland, is now a successful farmer near Arcadia, owning eighty acres of productive land. He received his education in Holland, including a degree from the Agricultural College at Wageningen. Immigrating to the U.S. in 1897, he has since improved his farm and engaged in local affairs, including serving as a delegate to the County convention. Married to Sophia Boode in 1900, they have one child. His lineage traces back to notable Dutch heritage, reflecting a strong connection to his homeland.

Biography of Richard S. Rutherford

Richard S. Rutherford, born in 1840 in Ireland, epitomized integrity, bravery, and enterprise throughout his life. Emigrating to Canada as an infant, his family later settled in New York, then Michigan. He joined the Civil War in 1861, serving valiantly in key battles before returning home post-war. He ventured into various business endeavors, including mining in Colorado and operating hotels in Idaho and Ontario. A prominent community member with deep family roots, he was involved in multiple fraternal organizations and held strong political beliefs as a Republican.

Biographical Sketch of William Franklin Minton

William Franklin Minton, born on November 25, 1856, in Missouri, dedicated his life to the development of Malheur County and the broader frontier. After moving with his family across several states, including Colorado, New Mexico, and Washington, he settled in Nyssa, where he improved his land and initiated the Owyhee Ditch project, contributing significantly to the region’s agriculture. A Democrat involved in local politics, he faced personal losses but continued to thrive, leaving a legacy of progress and community service.

Biographical Sketch of James T. Hatfield

James T. Hatfield, born July 14, 1839, in Missouri, established himself as a prominent farmer near Owyhee, owning an eighty-acre estate supported by the Owyhee ditch he helped create. After initial service in the Confederate Army, he recognized the error of his ways, switching allegiance to the Union, and served honorably until 1863. Moving westward with emigrants, he eventually settled in Nevada, where he engaged in various enterprises before acquiring his current homestead in 1890. Hatfield is a dedicated Democrat, a stockman, and a family man with five children.

Biographical Sketch of James H. Farley

James H. Farley, born in Dubuque, Iowa, in 1858, exemplified integrity and perseverance throughout his diverse career. After learning the railroad trade from his father, he ventured into various occupations, including ranching and operating saw mills, before establishing a successful livery business in Ontario, which became one of the largest in the region. He married Martha Darr in 1884 and had five children. Farley’s community involvement included memberships in several fraternal organizations, reflecting his commitment to both business and civic duty.

Biography of Emory Cole

Emory Cole, born on December 2, 1862, in Minnesota, is a prominent figure in Malheur County, known for his dynamic contributions to agriculture and stockraising. His family journeyed to Boise in 1864 before settling in Malheur in 1868, with Emory eventually inheriting a vast estate of 2,040 acres. After facing personal tragedies, including the loss of two wives, he established a successful farm that produces alfalfa, fruits, and raises cattle, alongside managing bees. A dedicated Republican, Cole is respected for his integrity and civic involvement.

Biographical Sketch of Henry P. Tietsort

Henry P. Tietsort, born on October 14, 1829, in Cass County, Michigan, exemplified the spirit of the western pioneers. After a challenging youth, he journeyed across the plains to California in 1859, engaging in freighting and mining before settling near Nyssa in 1892. Tietsort contributed to local agriculture by developing his 43-acre farm and participated in the Pitt River and Selay Indian Wars. He married Lydia Carman in 1880, raising several children. Tietsort’s life reflects resilience and dedication to the frontier.

Biographical Sketch of James E. Madden

James E. Madden, a notable businessman in Ontario, operates a successful livery and feed stable, ensuring the comfort and safety of his clients. Born on May 31, 1849, in Ohio, he endured a challenging upbringing but was determined to succeed. Madden’s journey took him from farming in Iowa to sheep and cattle raising in Oregon, overcoming significant losses during harsh winters. Resilient, he eventually settled in Ontario, where he improved his land and contributed to the community. He and his wife, L. A. Barnett, had nine children, earning him respect for his hard work and dedication.

Biographical Sketch of John S. Edwards

John S. Edwards, born on November 25, 1849, in Iowa, was a pioneering figure in Malheur County’s agricultural and stock-raising sectors. His family journeyed to Oregon in 1854, establishing roots in Lane County. By 1871, he had settled near Vale, where he built a successful ranch encompassing 900 acres. Married to Sarah F. Smith in 1876, they had several children. Edwards also invested in the Simmons mines at Cornucopia and is respected in the community for his integrity and contributions.

Biography of Gilbert L. King

Gilbert L. King, born on February 9, 1848, in New York, emerged as a prominent figure in Malheur County, Oregon. After serving in the Civil War, he pursued education and held various teaching and railroad positions before settling in Ontario in 1885. There, he became the first railroad agent and later thrived in farming and real estate. A man of considerable wealth and respect, King is noted for his public speaking and community involvement, as well as for his dedicated family life with six children.

Biographical Sketch of Charles D. Davis

Charles D. Davis, a notable farmer in Malheur County, was born on November 23, 1855, in Nebraska. The son of a Mexican War veteran, he moved west with his family, ultimately settling near Ontario where he cultivated an eighty-acre farm with ample irrigation and comfortable buildings. Married in 1877 to Jane Morton, they raised seven children. Davis engaged in farming, stock raising, and mining, starting with little but building a successful life through hard work. His contributions include helping to clear the streets of the early town of Ontario.

Biographical Sketch of Ebenezer A. Twycross

Ebenezer A. Twycross, born in Massachusetts in 1836, exemplifies the spirit of a frontiersman with his dedication to developing the western lands. After years of farming, he moved west in 1870, ultimately settling five miles from Jordan Valley on a well-improved 480-acre estate. A prominent figure in his community, Twycross demonstrated bravery during the 1878 conflicts with local tribes, earning the respect and trust of his fellow settlers through his hard work and commitment to their safety and prosperity.

Biographical Sketch of Edmund A. Fraser

Edmund A. Fraser, born on September 2, 1870, in Woodstock, Canada, emerged as a prominent figure in Malheur County. After moving to Ontario at eighteen, he worked at the Oregon Forwarding Company before acquiring the Malheur Mercantile Company in 1900. Under his management, the business flourished, serving a broad customer base with diverse merchandise. Fraser’s leadership and fair practices established his firm as a local favorite. He is also active in community organizations and is married to Ida Holland, with whom he has a son, Edmund A., Jr.

Biography of Alva P. Mack

Alva P. Mack, born on January 14, 1868, in Michigan, moved to Ontario, Oregon, in 1890 with minimal resources. Through hard work, he transformed a 120-acre farm into a model estate, cultivating alfalfa, corn, and maintaining a thriving cattle herd. A former salesman for the Oregon Forwarding Company, he married Lulu Wellington in 1891, and they have five children. Mack’s industriousness and capability have earned him a leading position in agriculture in Malheur County, reflecting his dedication and expertise.

Biographical Sketch of George W. Smith

George W. Smith, a prominent figure in Malheur County, was born in Kentucky on November 16, 1836. Orphaned in childhood, he faced life’s hardships while living in Arkansas. After the Civil War, he farmed in Texas before moving west to the Salmon River Mines. In 1884, he settled northwest of Ontario, where he developed his land into a productive homestead, demonstrating perseverance and thrift. A dedicated member of the Methodist Church, Smith is known for his integrity and commitment to community development.

Biographical Sketch of George A. Hickey

George A. Hickey, born in Arkansas in 1864, is a prominent stockman residing near Juntura. Together with M. A. Masterson, he cultivates a quarter section of land for hay, supporting a herd of one hundred cattle. A man of integrity and capability, Hickey actively contributes to the advancement of his community. After moving west at twenty, he worked in Colorado and Idaho before settling in Malheur County, where he began his successful farming venture and remains a respected figure in local politics.

Biography of Robert Van Gilse

Robert Van Gilse, born in Middleburg, Holland, on June 18, 1873, emerged as a leading figure in the fruit industry of the Northwest. With formal horticultural education in Europe and hands-on experience in nurseries, he settled in Payette, Oregon, in 1892, establishing a successful nursery and eventually expanding to a substantial farm dedicated to fruit and alfalfa production. A community-oriented individual, Van Gilse was instrumental in bringing Dutch immigrants to the region, enhancing Malheur County’s agricultural landscape while promoting civic engagement through local governance and fraternal organizations.