It takes brain as well as brawn to make a success in the enterprises that come to the hand of the business man of Wallowa County and it is noteworthy that the subject of this article has accomplished one of the most brilliant successes that has been wrought out in Wallowa County, which demonstrates the mettle of which he is made and also the capabilities which he has brought into play in that commendable career. It is with pleasure that we place this name among the leaders of our county, for who should receive title of leader if it is not he who has done deeds that demonstrate him capable of this position?
In Grundy County, Missouri, on November 14, 1868, Charles L. was born to Edward and Virginia (Renfrow) Hartshorn. The first eleven years of his life were spent in the native place and there he gained the beginning of the education that fortified him for life’s conflicts. In 1879 he crossed the plains with his parents, coming direct to Wallowa County. The father selected the place, one and one-half miles south from Joseph, where our subject now makes his home, and there he settled with his family, taking the land under the homestead right. The father was numbered with the leading men of the county until the time of his death, which occurred in 1885, and his remains sleep in the Alder cemetery today. The mother died before they came from Missouri. Our subject was eighteen years of age when his father died and then he took up alone the burdens of life, in which he has demonstrated his capabilities. He first started to herd sheep and had the misfortune to break his arm, which incapacitated him for this work. This was his start, rather bleak, one would say, but his pluck and dauntless spirit were not to be overcome And he fought on in the way, later entering partnership with F.W. Wagner, mention of whom is made in another portion of this work, and the smiles of fortune and success were won because of his hardy work, his wise management, and because of his constant care of his business and practical judgment. His success, brilliant as it is, is the true reward of capabilities and honest effort. At the present time, Mr. Hartshorn is numbered with the heaviest stock owners of the county. He owns the old homestead, and in addition to that he and his partner own five thousand acres of land and handle six thousand stock sheep, which makes many more thousand, which they sell. Mr. Hartshorn is a member of the Masons, Joseph Lodge, No. 81, and of the I.O.O.F., Silver Lake Lodge, No. 84, and of the Eastern Star, Chapter 67. In all these relations, as well as in all other associations that he has, he is considered one of the most capable, upright and public-spirited men of the county and his friends are numbered from every walk in life and are in all parts of the county.