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BERT BARNHILL. - A member of the well known firm of Fine & Barnhill Brothers and laboring in one of the enterprises of Elgin, being proprietors of the livery and sale stables of the town,our subject is deserving of representation in this volume and as a loyal citizen, upright and honest, we accord him such with pleasure.

Our subject was born in Sanders county, Nebraska, on September 22, 1860, being the son of James and Margaret (Bryan) Barnhill, natives of Illinois and Indiana, respectively. From the home place in Nebraska, the parents removed to Boise valley and in 1882, one year later, they came to the Wallowa valley, where the father took a homestead nine miles north from Enterprise. There he labored until the time of his death in 1901, being buried in Enterprise. The mother is still living on the old homestead. Our subject took a homestead adjoining his father's place and gave himself to tilling the soil and raising stock until 1902, when with his brother and Mr. Fine, he bought the livery stable in Elgin, where we find them doing a good business at the present time. They have a good equipment of rigs and driving horses, with saddle animals and are doing a representative business, being well esteemed by all.

On December 6,1896, Mr. Barhill married Miss Rosa, daughter of A.C. Smith, of Enterprise, the wedding occurring in Enterprise, and to add joy to the happy union, there has been born one child, Howard, born December 16,1899, in Wallowa county. Mr. Barnhill is a member of the I.O.O.F., Enterprise Lodge, No. 58. He is a man of ability and has manifested good sagacity in all of his endeavors, while also he has maintained a reputation unsullied and has wrought for the upbuilding of this section with assiduity and display of energy and perseverance.

William Martin Bennett [15] Son of John K. Bennett. Was born 14 Jun 1838 [385] in Indiana. He died on the 12 April 1917 [385] in Elgin, Union Co., OR. William was buried 14 April 1917 in [385] Summerville Cemetery, Summerville, Union Co., OR. [21].

William Martin Bennett was an early settler to the Wallowa and Union County areas, arriving between 1864 and 1870.

William was a farmer and stockman residing in the Indian Creek district and one of the oldest pioneers in the country. He died of ailments brought on by old age. Although in familing shape for several months his condition was not considered serious until Saturday night when he lapsed into unconsciousness.

William's parents died when he was young and he did not know his age to the exact date, but was between 79 and 80 years of age. His survivors are: Homer, Milton, Bird and Bill Bennett, Mrs. Parilla Keefer and Mrs. Hattie Lum. The obituary lists his death date as 15 April 1917 and his burial date as 17 April 1917. [21] His headstone lists his birthdate as 14 June 1842 and his death date as 15 April 1917.

He married Eliza Wilmuth Bird [1], daughter of William Allen Bird and Harriet Bird, 10 February 1864 [16] in the home of William Bird, Clackamas Co., OR [16]. Eliza was borh 28 February 1844 [23] in or near Louisville, Kentucky. [1] She died 4 August 1908 [23] in her home 4 miles SE of Elgin, Union Co., OR [23]. She was buried 5 August 1908 [23] in Summerville Cemetery, Summerville, Union Co., OR. [23]

William M. Bennett was prisoner number 1870 in the Oregon State Penitentiary. He was from Union County and sentenced to life in prison for murder in the second degree. He was admitted 14 January 1887 and pardoned 29 March 1893. When he was admitted they listed him as 48, born in Indiana, 5'11'', 154 lbs., black hair, hazel eyes, fair complexion, and size 6 shoes. He was a farmer who could read and write. He had one scare on his left knee cap, a mole between his shoulder blades, a mole under the front of his left shoulder blade, a mole on each side of the small of his back, a scar on the calf of his left leg and a scar on his right hip.

On 29 March 1893, William received a full pardon from the Governor of Oregon, Sylvester Pennorfer. "By the virtue of the authority in me vested as Governor of the State of Oregon, I, Sylvester Pennorfer, Governor, do hereby give and grant unto the said Wm. Bennett a full pardon, restoring to him all the rights and priviledges heretofore enjoyed by him under the laws of this state." [532]

As William describes the incident in his court deposition, he was the supervisor of a road crew which was working off part of their jail time. A man by the name of DeGore did not like William much. One day while William was resting under a tree DeGore came up and kicked William in the face, knocking out some of his teeth. Later DeGore rode his wagon by William's house and stopped in front of it. DeGore then reached under his seat for something. William thought he was reaching for a gun and shot and killed the man. He was the first person tried for murder in Union Co. The barn on his property near the Rhinehart area was built by 2 Civil War veterans and was still standing in July 1998.[519]

Reference Notes:

[1] Information obtained from notes provided by Robert Gest.
[14]Visited cemetery and have pictures-Matthew Porter, Summerville Cemetery, near Elgin, OR --July 1998
[15]Oregon Death Index found at The Oregon Genealogical Society, Springfield OR, June 1997 1903-1980
Those dates from 1980-1995 were found at The University of Oregon Microfilm department.

[16]Clackamas Co., OR Marriage Certificates. Copies obtained at the Clackamas County Courthouse, Oregon City, OR May 1997. Book 1, page 198. Eliza and William
[21] Obituary for William Martin Bennett in The Elgin Recorder 19 April 1917, pg. 1 of Elgin, Union Co.,OR found at the University of Oregon Newspaper Collection, May 1997.
[22] 1880 Census data for Union Co., OR.
[23]Obituary for Eliza W. Bennett from The Elgin Recorder of Elgin, Union Co., OR 7 August 1908 pg. 1, found at the University of Oregon Newspaper Collection, May 1997.
[385]Death certificate for William Martin Bennett ordered from Oregon State Archives February 1998.
[519]Notes from interview with Talbert Bennett July 1998.
[532]Oregon Penitentiary Records found at the Oregon State Archives, Salem OR 1998. Convict Record Oregon Penitentiary. Pardons by the Governor.

HOMER C. BIDWELL.-The well known and enterprising businessman, of whom we now have the pleasure of speaking is one of the substantial citizens of Union, & has by dint of hard effort, wise management and considerate treatment of patrons built up a fine business in the livery and transportation line. Having as fine stables and his rigs are among the most comfortable and well kept to be secured anywhere.

Homer C. was born in Galesburg Wisconsin on January 25, 1871, being the son of Charles C. & Mary A. (Gilbert) Bidwell. The father was one of those brave men who hazarded their lives in the defense of the Union and during the entire war he served participating in many skirmishes as well as heavy battles, among which may be mentioned those adjacent to Chattanooga. At the close of the war he was honorably discharged and settled down to industrial life. while our subject was a child the family removed to virginia, whence they went to the vicinity of St. Joseph, Missouri, and from there to Orleans, Nebraska, during a portion of which time Homer was occupied with his father in the livery business. In 1884 they migrated to Union county and after some time our subject entered upon an apprenticeship to the miller's trade, which he learned and followed for five years. After this period he took up farming and stock raising on his farm north from the town of Union. He also bought stock for Kiddle Brothers for two years, and then in 1898 he purchased the lot and stable where his business is now transacted. The place is conveniently located and the buildings are commodious and well arranged. In his stock Mr. Bidwell has the best that can be secured and his business is conducted with car and wisdom. In addition to the livery business special, he does a feed business and buys and sells horses.

On May 3, 1898, Mr. Bidwell married Miss Rachel M., daughter of Samuel and Mary (Wade) Brooks, early pioneers from Iowa, who crossed the dreary plains with ox teams. To our subject and his wife there has been born one child, Deane F., born September 23, 1900. Mr. Bidwell is a member of the K. of P. Lodge No. 28, and the woodmen of the World, King City Camp, No. 86. He has served as city councilman for two years. The elder Bidwell and wife are living in Union and he is a member of the G.A.R., Oliver P. Morton Post. Mr. Bidwell is one of the substantial and capable men of our county and he has an enviable standing and also is secure in the esteem of his fellows. Being eminently deserving the excellent prestige that he enjoys.

CHARLES L. BLAKESLEE.-A man of energy, sagacity, and keen foresight. Mr. Blakeslee is today one of the well-known pioneers, whose labors have opened this vast and fertile region for the settlement of his fellows, and, he has gained distinction not only on account of this work but also through his enterprising endeavors in operations in the industrial world here as well as in the ranks of educators that laid the foundations deep and wide for the advancement of the new found land for the training of those that should follow.

In 1827, in New York, Charles L. was born to Levi and Polly (Toby) Blakeslee, the father being a native of Litchfield, Connecticut, and the mother of New Bedford, Massachusetts, the former being born in 1778 and the latter in 1784. Levi Blakeslee was a giant in the commercial and manufacturing world, being one of the most prominent men of his time. He was heavily interested in mercantile pursuits in New Berlin and other places, owned woolen mills, paper mills, flour mills, distilleries and great quantitites of agricultural lands in different localities. In his time distilling was on a par with the manufacture of flour. During the panic of 1816 he issued scrip from his own mills and sent it to Albany, where it was set in circulation, being of the following denominations: Three, six and one-fourth, twelve and one-half, twenty-five fifty, and seventy-five cents. On December 5, 1800, he received the master Mason degree, and the son still has in his possession the medal of honor bearing that date and the apron presented to him at that time by the lodge, as also some of the scrip that was issued from the paper mills. The war records that he gained in the conflict of 1812 secured for him a grant of land in Illinois which remained in the family untill after his death, when it was sold by the widow. His death occurred in Battle Creek, Michigan, on May 16, 1841, having come to that place the year previous. The widow lived until March 11, 1872.

Returning more particularly to the subject of this sketch, we find that Charles L. was the recipient of a good education, and at the age of twenty-one went to farming for himself, being injured in this work he was obliged to turn to the occupation of the educator, where he gained a pleasant distinction, thus utilizing well the training that he had acquired in his early days. He taught in the region of his home in Michigan until 1864, then acting under the advice of his physician he came to the west for his health. He landed in the Grande Ronde valley in September of that year and taught his first term of school at Summerville, it also being the first school in that district. Following that he taught at the Cove, that being also the first school taught there, and in the fall of 1865 he taught at Union, the first school held there. There being insufficient funds for a teacher to be employed he collected the same by subscription and was busy for four years teaching in Union. In 1867 he returned to Battle Creek and brought the family across the plains. He bought a squatter's right to eighty acres that joined Union on the west and there erected a chop mill for the supply of the freighters. Later he added wood-working machinery as shingle saws, planers and lathes, where he utilized the water power, it being the second place where nature's force was thus harnessed in Union. He recently sold this plant to a seattle company. At present he owns a block of land in the town of Union, where his residence is. Mr. Blakeslee had been eight years justice of the peace in Union.

The marriage of Mr. Blakeslee and Miss Caroline, daughter of Truman and Wealthy (Foreman) Dewey, and a second cousin of the famous admiral, was solemnized in 1850 and to them have been born the following children: Cornelia, deceased: William B.: Lynn K. and Lillie M., twins: Abbie J.: and Winnie C. The funeral of his daughter Cornelia was the first one where a sermon was preached in the county. She died at the age of sixteen on September 17, 1868. Mrs. Blakeslee's parents were natives of New York and the father was well known throughout Indiana and Michigan, where his business carried him. he fought in the war of 1812, enlisting from Sackett's Harbor, New York. The two are sleeping side by side in the cemetery at Jamestown, steuben county, Indiana. Mr. Blakeslee's grandfather was a prominent Mason of early days.

It was in Lincolnshire, England, on February 28, 1847, that Leman was born to Steven and Elizabeth (Gunnell) Blanchard, natives also of the same country. Amid the rural scenes of this grand old land our subject spent his childhood days until fifteen years of age, and then stepped from the parental roof to try the boisterous sea of life's activities for himself. Different employment occupied him for a time and then he gave his attention to farming until May 1, 1880, when he bade farewell to the environments of early life, turned from the land of nativity and sought the shores of Freedom's abode. Pike county, Illinois, was the destination and there he was numbered with the faithful toilers in the fields for three and one-half years, then went to Wisconsin and there produced the fruits of the field for three and one-half years, then went to Wisconsin and there produced the fruits of the field for three and one-half years more, then set his face to the west, and made the trip to this country, landing here on July 1, 1877, and at once associated himself with Charles Hallgarth for one year. In January, 1878, he bought his present place, three miles east from Elgin and there went to work to make a home for himself and carve a name among the leaders of Union county. He has a fine farm, a modern dwelling, and all the outbuildings that are essential to the carrying on of a good farm and in addition to farming he is raising stock.

On March 4,1891, Mr. Blanchard married Lucie A., daughter of Nimrod and Matilda (Myers) Hallgarth, a native of Switzerland county, Indiana, and born February 26, 1865. Six children ahve come to bless this happy union, Gertrude, Myrtle, Leila, Clarence E., Pearl S. and Clifford.

Mr. Bragg was born in 1867 in southern Illinois, being the son of Robert and Jane (Morgan) Bragg, natives respectively of North Carolina and Ohio. The mother quietly sleeps at Eminence, Missouri, but the father is still living. Edgar E. received his early education in Illinois, and at the age of seventeen commenced a career that has been eminently successful by teaching his first school For three years he continued both to teach and pursue his favorite studies, and then went to Missouri and attended the state normal school, after which he went to teaching again, for a period, and then migrated to Island City, Oregon, in 1890, and there taught until 1898, when the people recognized his ability and faithfulness and called him to take the important office of county superintendent of schools. His name appeared on the Democratic ticket at the time of his election. He has in no respect disappointed the expectations of his constituency, for he has given most excellent service in this capacity.

Mr. Bragg and Miss Jean, a daughter of T.S. Smith, a pioneer of this county, were married in 1892, and the fruit of this union is two children, Zoe and Edith. It is of note that Mr. Bragg's father was a veteran of the Civil war, serving in the Forty-seventh Illinois for three years. Mr. Bragg is one of the most popular and highly esteemed educators in the county, and has merited fully his position by his excellent and painstaking work that has been done both here and elsewhere.

Mr. Bramwell was born in Yorkshire, England, whence came so many of our most intelligent and thrifty citizens. Eighteen hundred and sixty was the date, his parents being George W. and Mary (Stevenson) Bramwell. They came to Ogden, Utah, in 1870, the father being a music and school teacher. He labored faithfully at these callings until two years since, when he was called hence and his remains are buried at Rexburg, Idaho. The mother is still residing at Ogden, Utah. Our subject remained dutifully at home with his parents in their service until he had attained hismajority, gaining, meanwhile, a good education in the schools and in private instruction from his father. He also, before the expiration of his minority, had learned the good trades of blacksmith and wheelwright. For twelve years after he had started for himself he worked faithfully at these trades. Then his ability and integrity received fitting recognition in being elected to the positionof clerk of the Fifth Judicial district of Idaho, serving in that capacity for six years. He rose steadily in the esteem of his church and held one office after another until he received a fitting compliment to both his ability and faithfulness in being chosen president of the missions of the northwest. This organization is called the Stake, which is divided into wards, that are ruled over by a bishop and the president has general supervision of hte whole territory mentioned, being called on to exercise much sagacity and discrimination in the solution of the weighty questions that come before him. In addition to these trying and responsible duties, he finds time to attend to the practical management of the Oregon Sugar Company. During his life Mr. Bramwell has given much attention to the art of music and has organized and trained a number of brass bands, besides much other commendable work of improvement in these lines.

Mr. Bramwell married Miss Emily Neal, a native of Birmingham, England, in 1881. Her parents came to Ogden, Utah, when she was two years of age. There have been born to this union six children: Franklin C., attending college at Ogden; Lester H., Ellen H., Irving M., Retta and Arthur L. In 1896-8 Mr. Bramwell made an extensive trip to Europe in the interests of his church and he was known as a power in the mission field. There are many of his faith in our county and their thrift, energy and good qualities are manifest to all. No more stanch and loyal citizens are within our borders. Mr. Bramwell states in terse language that the mission of their church is to lift up humanity morally and socially, and the object of the immigration to our county was to found homes for themselves and to aid in upholding the laws of the land and to put their shoulders to the wheel of progress and development of the resources that nature has so bountifully strewn here. And, indeed, no institution in the United States has a more worthy and wonderful record for pioneer work than has the same church and its upholders. The Stake, mentioned before, was organized on June 9, 1901, which speaks forcefully of the energy and skill of our subject,he having been the leading spirit in the matter. The date of the establishment of the church of his faith in this section is given by Mr. Bramwell as April, 1898.

George W. was born on March 22, 1848, in Hancock county, Illinois to Roger and Maria (Smith) Buck, natives of Virginia. The father was a farmer in Illinois, having come thither when Chicago was a stockade and he remained in Hancock county until his death, in 1853, nad his remains are buried at Quincy, Illinois. In 1880, the mother died and beside her life's companion she also sleeps. In the spring of 1864, although but a lad our subject enlisted for one hundred days in the One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and he was stationed to guard Memphis. After being mustered out in the fall of the same year, he went with his mother and sister to Clinton county, Missouri, and engaged inr raising and selling the Osage orange hedge tree, where he was employed for five years with good success. In 1870 he went to Saint Joseph, Missouri, and for four years dealt in seeds and implements, and then sold out and repaired to Smith county, Kansas, engaging in general merchandising in a town called Gaylord. Six years subsequent to this he sold his business there and came to Oregon. He took a homestead near Hilgard, and in connection with this operated a general merchandise store in the town for S.F. Richardson. Two years later, 1882, he sold his property at this place and came to Elgin as manager of the I.M.&M. Company's business, holding the position for five years. He was also one of the incorporators of the G.M.&S. Company, being also general manger of their business and secretary of the company. In 1889 he retired from the company and entered upon the saw-milling business in Elgin. He has a large plant eight miles north from the town and does a big business. He is enlarging the capacityof his mills and also adding a lath mill, while at the present time he is handling a force of twenty-five men.

Mr. Buck married Miss Ellen A., daughter of J.A. and Ellen O. Taylor, in Smith county, Kansas, on September 28, 1879, and one son was the fruit of that union, Roger H., born August 5, 1880. In July, 1881, death visited this happy home and took thence the wife and mother.

Mr. Buck married a second time, on June 28,1890, the lady becoming his wife on this occasin being Alice Small, and the nuptials were celebrated at Hilgard, Union county. Mrs. Buck was born on December 16, 1853, at Cooperstown, Pennsylvania. Mr. Buck is affiliated with the Masons, Elgin Lodge No. 98, and also with the Blue Mountain Chapter, No. 52(?), O.E.S. Our subject and wife are members of the Presbyterian church. For three different times Mr. Buck has been chosen mayor of Elgin, and twice has he served terms in the city council having in all this public service, been guided with his characteristic practical judgement and keen sagacity, giving general satisfaction on all occasions.
 
 

HOSMER L. BUELL.-The subject of this sketch deserves to be placed in the history of Union county for various reasons. He is a man of ability, which is amply demonstrated in the fine drug business that he manipulates in the city of Elgin, where he does a thriving business. He has passed a life of great activity in various leading industries, being ever at the ehad both because of his energy and because of his fitness for that purpose. When the call came for men, brave and true, to face the cannon of the hosts of rebellion, our subject never wavered, but surrendered himself to the fortunes of war and the God of the battle field, and fought through te long struggle until the last shot was silenced and the broken foe bowed in repentence and raised from the field to leave the land to mourn for its dead.

Hosmer L. was born in Delaware county, New York, on May 31, 1836, being the son of Dewey and Aurelia (Goddard) Buell, natives respectively of New York and Pennsylvania. The father was a farmer and in 1872 removed with the family to Dallas county, Iowa, remaining there until the time of his death which occured on July 14, 1875, and the mother died in Kansas in 1890. Our subject worked with his father until the age of twenty-three and then went to farming and lumbering until the outbreak of the war, when he enlisted, August 1862 at Troy, Pennsylvania, in the Seventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, Company C. under Col. George Wyncoup, in the Army of the Cumberland. Many hard fought battles were participated in by him and constant military duty was his lot until the close of the war being mustered out June, 1865, at Nashville, Tennessee. Subsequent to the war he went to the oil regions of Pennsylvania, operating for some time, then retired to McHenry county, Illinois, where he farmed for a year, then went to colorado prospecting. In that state and in New Mexico he operated for the Kansas and Pacific railroad, looking for coal and water. In 1872, he went into business for himself, boring for salt and coal in Kansas and Illinois. In 1878, he commenced the manufacture of boring machinery in Clay Centre, Kansas, continuing in the same until 1888, when he sold the entire plant and removed to Idaho, and there bored for water for a time, then opened the Mountain Home, a resort at the Hot Springs, which institution was prospered exceedingly under his skillful management. this was sold in 1890 and he then came to Elgin and engaged in the lumber business for one year, after which he purchased his present business, a large and well equipped drug store, one-third of which is owned by his son, Joseph. In addition to this good business, Mr. Buell owns much real estate and a number of buildings in the city of Elgin and also the store property where he is now doing business.

In 1859, Mr. Buell married Miss Arah Miller, a native of Pennsylvania and one child was born to them, Joseph.

In 1873, Mr. Buell married a second time. Lizzie Abbott becoming his wife on this occasion and two children were born to them. Hale and Mable. Mr. Buell is one of the substantial men of the city of Elgin and apublic spirited citizen of the county and enjoys the confidence and esteem of all who know him. He is a member of the Masons, Elgin Lodge No. 93. and of the Blue Mountain Chapter, O.E.S. No. 52 and also of the Nathan Baker Post of the G.A.R. of Elgin.

In June 1900, the G.A.R. elected Mr. Buell surgeon general for the state of Oregon and he served for one year. it is of note that it was Mr. Buell's brigade that captured Jefferson Davis.