JOSEPH TRUESDALE. – The name Truesdale is so well known throughout Oregon as designating the captain of the plains as to need little introduction here. The son Joseph was born in Illinois in 1850, and two years later made the journey to California with his father and mother, the latter of whom died the same year; while the former returned to Illinois in 1855, taking the boy with him. Marrying again in 1856, the Captain brought an ox-team across the Rocky Mountains in 1862 to form a settlement in the Grande Ronde valley.
In 1865 young Truesdale went to the Upper Santiam, and there received his education. Two years later he collected a band of three hundred cattle, which he drove to the Grande Ronde, losing one hundred head in the Cascade Mountains. For many years he has followed a goodly variety of occupations, – conducting a livery stable at Walla Walla; operating in the mercantile business at Weston three years; in the agricultural implement business in Umatilla county; buying wheat at Union Point one year; in the hotel business at Summerville three years; and one year and a half in the butcher business there. From the latter point he removed to La Grande, Oregon, where he is at present engaged in conducting the Golden Rule Hotel, of which he is a most kindly and agreeable host. He also owns a first-class livery stable.
He was married in 1873 to Miss Ella Shore of Walla Walla, who died in 1876, leaving him one boy. In 1877 he was married to Miss Emma Lewis. They have one daughter, Ettie. During the Nez Perce and Bannack wars, Mr. Truesdale served as teamster on the civil list. He is highly esteemed for his many excellent social and moral qualities, his business abilities and integrity as a man and citizen.