This is an ever growing list of Union County Biographies. If there is just the page listed it is one that I have transcribed. Otherwise, it will have the name of the person who donated the biographies.f you have any biographies you can donate, please drop a line to Janine M. Bork.Your information can help others.

ENOS FISHER.-Any compilation that has to do with the pioneers of the Grande Ronde valley would be quite incomplete were there failure to incorporate therein an epitome of the career of the prominent citizen and estimable gentleman whose name is at the head of this article, and who has wrought here since the early days of the sixties with display of assiduity and sagacity in the establishment of a home, making a fine and fertile farm from the wilds of the unbroken country and developing the resources of the section, while he has displayed remarkable strength of character and an integrity which commend him to all.

Mr. Fisher was born in Mercer county, Illinois, on February 9, 1839, being the child of John and Nancy 9Morgan) Fisher, and while a child was taken by his parents to Warren county, and thence to the vicinity of Indianapolis, Indiana, and then to Jefferson county, Iowa. He was educated in the public schools of these various sections and was reared on a farm. In 1862 he entered upon the tiresome and dangerous journey across the plains with ox teams, coming part of the distance with a train bound for California, and the balance of the way was attended with some danger from the Indians, but in safety they landed in Lagrande. Three gardens and a few settlers were the only evidences of civilization in the valley. Supplies were brought from the Willamette valley and flour sold as high as ten dollars per sack. He worked by the day for a time for the remuneration of fifty cents per day. He then bought a cabin and a squatter's right to his present place, two and one-half miles northwest from Summerville. He helped to build the second stable in Lagrande, cutting the logs for the purpose, also spent some time in the mines in Idaho, and also on the headwaters of the Grande Ronde river, in a camp called Carson's Diggings. Mr. Fisher started to work on this claim near Summerville with a borrowed ax and maul and wedge, and from that time to this he has constantly pursued the way of the patient and steady toiler on the farm, making good progress because of his thrift and industry. His farm is well improved, he has a fine ten-room house, large barn and outbuildings to match, with good orchard and a good stock of horses and cattle.

On February 20, 1876, Mr. Fisher married Miss Sarah J., daughter of Hiram and Margaret R. (Taylor) McDonald, and seven children have blessed the union: Columbus W.; Walter C. of Colfax, Washington; Albert L., Mary, Ettie, George W., Bessie May, and Harley F., the last one deceased. Mrs. Fisher's parents came to the Willamette valley from Linn county, Missouri in 1864, crossing the plains with ox teams, and thence to the Grande Ronde valley in 1872. Mr. Fisher has borne all the hardships incident to a rugged life in the pioneer relations and has also passed through the difficulties and dangers from the savages while on their hostile raids, and in it all as well as in the battles of life in the industrial realm he has manifested the same courage, fortitude and perseverance that now characterize him, and now as the golden days are beginning to run apace, he is entitled to the quiet enjoyment of the portion that his labor has provided, while he is the recipient of the esteem and confidence of his fellows.

Martha Horton Fisher was born in Waynesborough, TN in 1832. She was the daughter of William Horton and America Cheek, a native of England, and the granddaughter of Isaac Horton who fought in the American Revolution.

She married William Thomas Fisher in 1848 in Wayne County, TN. They emigrated to Arkansas around 1852 and were living there during the Civil War. Her husband fought in the war, and was mustered out in 1864.

Mary had ten children, 7 that lived to maturity. Her children were: Mary, Sarah, Frances, James, George, William, Christopher, Malinda, Charles and Thomas.

In 1875 she, her husband William and her minor children emigrated to Oregon. They may have gone by wagon over the Oregon Trail or taken the Train, which was in operation by then. They settled for a time in Joseph until William died in 1885.

She is listed in the 1910 census for Union County, OR living in Cove, on ascnesion street, next door to three of her grown sons: William, Charles and Wayne Thomas. Martha was 80 years old in 1910.

Martha died 4 January 1911 at the age of 81. Her cause of death is listed as Senility. She was buried in an unmarked grave in the Cove Cemetery.

William Thomas Fisher was probably born in Lawrence Co., TN in 1827. I assume that he was part of the Fisher family of William B. Fisher, B. 1768 in VA, who was listed in the Lawrence Co., TN census for 1850.

William and Martha married in 1848 in Wayne Co. TN. They probably emigrated to Arkansas about 1854. William's family is listed in the Searcy County, Arkansas census, living in Bear Creek Township in 1860.

Their children born between 1848 and 1860 are: Mary, Sarah, Frances, James, George, and William. Children born after 1860 are: Christopher Columbus, Malinda, Charles and Thomas Wayne. Martha's application for a pension states that she had 10 children.

William Thomas Fisher was listed as a member of the "Arkansas Peace Society." He was a member of a Chain Gang and was made to join the Confederate Army in Little Rock Arkansas on December 18, 1861. He served in Co 1, 18th Ark Inf. He was later in the 3rd Conf. Inf. (18th Ark. Inf.{Marmaduke}). It was later redesignated the 3rd Conf. Infantry on Jan 31, 1862.

On Feb 28th, 1863 he was made a teamster. On August 4th, 1863, he deserted at Fynch Station. He was captured the same day at Bridgeport, Alabama. On August 11th, he was sent to Louisville, KY. He was releasted after taking an oath to remain north of the Ohio River.

He enlisted on September 5th, 1864 at Springfield (D L Ruff), MO for 6 months in the UNION ARMY. He was a Pvt. in Co F, 46th Missouri Volunteer Infantry. He was placed on detached service by special order No. 9 on September 20th, 1864 to Quarter Master's Office. he was discharged because of rheumatism.

About 1875, he took his family to Oregon. They may have come by wagon or have taken a train to Oregon since the days of wagon trains were about over.

The Fisher Family settled in Joseph and then Cove, Oregon. William, 52, is listed as a farmer in the 1880 census. With him are living his wife, Martha 49, and his children, Frances, James, George, Christopher, Charles and Thomas.

William Thomas died in Joseph, Oregon at the age of 58 in 1885. His wife Martha died in Cove, Oregon in 1911.