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JOSEPH ANSON. - Across the waters of the Atlantic came the subject of this sketch to make for himself a home and a name in the foster land of his choice. Here he has done nobly in the endeavors of his life, and while he has demonstrated an ability that is commendable in the affairs of business, and uprightness and integrity in all of his ways, he has also shown in an emphatic manner his love for his country, by taking up the weapons of warfare to defend the flag and preserve intact the Union, when the dark days of fratricidal strife seemed to be portending the destruction of Freedom's institutions. At such a crisis our subject came to the front and joined his hand to the many who stood faithfully through the long struggle for principles of government and stability.

Joseph Anson was born in Staffordshire, England, on August 15, 1837, and ten years later, in company with his parents, he crossed the deep and settled in Baltimore, Maryland. From there the family went to Newark, New Jersey, whence six months later they went to Medina, Ohio. In these various places our subject attended the schools and gained a good education. In 1856 they went to Quasqueton, Iowa, and there he continued the educational discipline for some years longer, working during the summers. At the beginning of the war he was stirred to action and was among the first to offer his services in the Civil war, enlisting in Company E., Fifth Iowa Infantry. For a time he was under General Pope and he did service at the siege of Corinth; was in the battle of Iuka, then went to the Vicksburg camps, fought in the battle of Missionary Ridge, and was in the Atlanta campaign. He was transferred to the Fifth Iowa Cavalry and sent to Louisville to remount. Following this he was in Tennessee in the campaign under General Wilson, known as Wilson's Cavalry Corps, and here he did service until the close of the war. Being mustered out with an honorable and excellent record, he returned to Iowa, whence he soon came to Union county, Oregon, making the entire trip with the ox teams of the day. He had a brother in this county, who had made the trip in 1862, and was one of the earliest pioneers of our county. Our subject at once took a homestead, and began general farming and stock-raising. He added eighty acres to his home place and in 1872 turned his attention mainly to stock. He was numbered with the leading stockmen of the county until three years since, when he sold the bands and herds and retained only enough to handle his estate successfully.

In October, 1865, Mr. Anson married Miss Angela R., daughter of John Newell, and to them have been born five children as follows: Minnie, Newell, Nellie, J. Orlin and James. All of the children are married, three living in Union county, one in California and one in Lake View, Oregon. In political matters Mr. Anson is allied with the Republicans, and he has always taken part of a good citizen in the affairs of government. Fraternally he is affiliated with the I.O.O.F., having passed all the chairs and now hold the position of district deputy patriarch. In 1872 Mrs. Anson passed from the labors of life and the loved ones of her home.

In March, 1900, Mr. Anson contracted a second marriage, the lady of his choice being Mrs. Annie G. Sparks, of Pendleton. Mr. Anson is esteemed by all who know him and has made a record of worthy achievement and upright demeanor, ever manifesting unswerving integrity and sound principles.

NEWEL H. ANSON. - Among the younger men of Union county who are rising to take the places that are being vacated by the worthy pioneers who are going one by one to the "bourne whence no traveler returns," mention must be made of the industrious and vigorous agriculturist and stockman whose name is placed at the head of this article, since he has demonstrated in personal endeavor the qualities of which he is composed to be those of stanch and sturdy grain and of a very high order, while also his moral attributes are quite commensurate with his commendable record in achievement in the county.

On the old parental homestead near Island City, on January 26, 1868, the subject of this sketch first saw light. He was reared among the surroundings that pertain to a frontier home, receiving a good common-school education from the schools of the time, spending the summers in vigorous exercise on his father's farm and the winters in the pursuit of wisdom. This continued until he had arrived at the age of nineteen, and then he stepped from his seat in the family circle and girded himself for the duties of life on his own account. He first started to herd stock in the mountains, and for ten years he steadily pursued this weary, and dangerous occupation, thus demonstrating his tenacity and perseverance in accomplishing his start. This was practically his start in life, for from the proceeds of this service he was enabled to purchase a farm of one hundred and sixty acres. In 1890 he took a pre=emption claim and added that to his real estate holdings, thus making one-half section of land owned by him in the Rock creek country. In 1897 he was in shape to purchase another quarter, half of which was wild land, all this he put in cultivation, and his estate is utilized to raise grain and hay for his stock. He has now lumber on the ground for the erection of a good dwelling, and is also putting out an orchard. Thus is seen that our subject has had a worthy part in the development of the county and in materially adding to its wealth and improvements.

In 1891 Mr. Anson married Miss Sarah J., daughter of James C. and Amanda (Rutedge) Conrad, and to them have been born the following offspring: Joseph E., Stella C., Cecil E., and Jesse R. Mrs. Anson was born in Perry county, Missouri, in 1871, and came west with her parents in 1889, settling in Island City, after they had spent some time in Wallowa county. Mr. Anson is actively interested in politics and is allied with the Republican party, ever showing a marked interest in local matters and school affairs. While still a young man, the subject of this sketch has demonstrated what skill, pluck and perseverance can do in this excellent country, and his work is eminently successful, while he is admired by all.

WILLIAM ARNOLD. - One of the best known men in northeastern Oregon, capable and upright, a pioneer of the country and one who has faithfully done his part in the development of the same, having met the dangers and hardships and self-denials incident to a life on frontiering in this region in early days, the subject of this article is eminently fitted for representation in this volume, and it is with pleasure that we accord space to him, and we desire to add that in connection with his abilities and courage, he has manifested excellent moral qualities and integrity that is constant and unswerving.

William Arnold was born in Washington county, Nebraska, on March 16, 1856, being the son of Ansel and Jenett (Faster) Arnold. The father came to Nebraska as Indian agent in 1854, and also gave some attention to farming in that state. In 1858, he was called hence by the messenger of death, and his remains sleep in St. Joseph, Missouri. We have but little information of our subject until 1877, when he made the trip to the west, landing in Lagrande in that year. The following year he accompanied a drove of cattle to Cheyenne as one of the drivers, and then returned to Oregon. On this trip, while they were crossing the trail near Boise, Idaho, they were attacked by the Indians, and for twelve days the fight continued, the stockmen finally being able by dint of almost superhuman endurance and the most intrepid daring and perilous fighting, to get away with the entire drove of cattle. Later he took another trip through Nebraska and Colorado, and then returning to Oregon took up the stock business. In 1884 Mr. Arnold went to the Coeur d' Alene country and commenced his career of driving stage. He handled the ribbons there for two years and then came to this section and has since operated in the staging business. In cold and heat, amid storms and sunshine, he has taken his seat on the well-known concord vehicles and guided the horses over the trail for nearly twenty years, and there is not a man in the entire region that has so many warm friends and is so widely known as William Arnold, the capable, faithful, and courageous stage driver of Elgin.

Mr. Arnold was married to Miss Cinda, daughter of Jackson and Martha Graham, on June 1, 1887, and four children have gladdened this happy union, as follows: Earl, Mable, Guy and Lolace. Mrs. Arnold was born on September 9, 1868. Mr. Arnold makes his home in Elgin and is operating the line from that place to Joseph. He is affiliated with the A.O.U.W. in Elgin. Our subject is held in high esteem by all who know him, and his figure is familiar at all points along the line, and friends are everywhere, and we are pleased to state that his upright life and kind demeanor have fully merited all these enconiums bestowed by admiring friends.

EDWARD P. ASHBY. - Among those who came to Union county with limited capital and have been enabled to work out here a competence for themselves, becoming prosperons and well-to-do in the goods of this world, may be mentioned the successful agriculturist and stockman whose name is at the head of this brief article and who stands to day as one of the substantial and worthy citizens of this progressive and wealthy county.

At the present time Mr. Ashby owns a good farm about seven miles north of North Powder, and also a comfortable residence in the town of North Powder, where he is dwelling now for the purpose of having better school facilities for his children. His estate is well improved and he is handling considerable stock. When he landed in this county in 1871, with his parents, he was not possessed of much of this world's goods, and thinking that there were better opportunities farther ahead they went on to the Willamette valley, and for six years wrought in that region and then returned in 1877 to Union county. The father homesteaded a place in Pyle's canyon, and there he and the subject of this sketch went into partnership in raising stock, this arrangement continuing until 1893, when the son took the homestead, which is now his farm.

On February 13, 1879, Mr. Ashby and Miss Francelia, daughter of Samuel and Perana (Huntley) Hewitt, were married, and to them have been born nine children: Arthur T., deceased Alva, deceased; infant not named, deceased; Sarah L., Bessie, Jennie, Dollie, Katie and Jessie. Mrs. Ashby's mother was a sister to C.C.C Huntley, of pioneer stage fame.

Mr. Ashby was born in Cassopolis, Cass county, Michigan, being the son of Bladon and Sarah (DeBolt) Ashby and the date of his nativity was January 18, 1855. While still a child his parents removed to Louisa county, Iowa, whence in 1871 they came to Union, as stated above.

The father of our subject died on June 24, 1900, but his mother is still living in Union. During the Civil war the father enlisted in Company K, Eighth Iowa, at the outbreak of hostilities and served faithfully until 1864, when he was discharged honorably on account of sickness, having been in the hospital for six months continuously. He was a member of the G.A.R. in Union and after his discharge he was elected as captain of the militia company and afterward was commissioned as such by the governor of the state. Our subject is a member of the Woodsmen of the World, Lodge No. 109, in North Powder. He is esteemed as a man of good principles and sterling integrity and holds a place of respect and is secure in the confidence of his fellows.