Baker, Oregon
William Duby, former chairman of the Oregon State Highway commission died at his home in Baker last Tuesday night and funeral services were held at the Christian Church, Baker, Friday afternoon, under the auspices of the Masonic Lodge.
Mr. Duby was born in East St. Louis, Illinois. In August 1861, said the Baker Democrat Herald. He went to Nebraska with his mother in 1865 and lived in the eastern part of that state until he was 22 years old. Mr. Duby was married to Mary E. Bissell in Wahoo, Saunders County, Nebraska, October 5, 1895. The young couple moved to Centralia, Washington, where they lived for 14 years. Mr. Duby was engaged in the logging and lumber business there.
Mr. Duby came to Baker County in 1903 and located on a ranch in the Lower Powder valley, where he engaged in the cattle business for three years. He then moved to Baker and purchased the Baker Packing company which he operated until 1916.
Mr. Duby was elected county judge of Baker County in 1917 and served in that office until Jan. 1, 1921. In 1923 he was appointed by Governor Walter M. Pierce as a member of the state highway commission. He was chairman of that body during his entire four years on the commission. Judge Duby was secretary-treasurer of the Cattle and Horse raisers association of Oregon from the time of its organization 17 years ago until his death. He was active in the work of the Oregon Wool Growers-association following the passage of the “? Line cowboy” bill in 1929. Mr. Duby was appointed as enforcement officer of the Oregon livestock and poultry theft-prevention and active service and was engaged in the work at the time of his death. His activities in the enforcement of the law resulted in a large number of arrest of cattle and poultry thieves during his short time in office.
Used with permission from: Enterprise Record Chieftain, Enterprise, Oregon, Thursday, April 30, 1951
Transcribed by: Sue Wells