De Spain

Jeremiah De Spain, born in 1833 in Kentucky, embarked on a challenging journey to Oregon in 1852 in search of better opportunities. After initially working in the livery business and later packing for the Salmon River mines, he settled in the Grande Ronde valley. In 1866, he married Nancy E. Howard, and together they contributed significantly to Pendleton’s development, including the construction of the De Spain Block. His untimely death in 1886 marked a notable loss for the community, but his legacy endures through his family and contributions.