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Mr. Rynearson was born in Pennsylvania in 1830 and at the age of twenty-one crossed the plains, coming through the Grande Ronde valley, and settling in Butteville and there built the first plow made in the state and took the first premium given in the first state fair. One of his plows are now on exhibition at the headquarters of the Pioneer Association, at Union. Mr. Rynearson moved back to the Grande Ronde valley in 1862 and in connection with his brother opened the first blacksmith shop, where the first plows used in this valley were made. In 1865, he bought from Charles Goodnough the place that was owned by Henry Leacy, it being the first place taken in the valley. He owned a quarter section joining the town of Lagrande on the north, and there his family resides now. The place is well improved with good buildings, fine orchard and is one of the most fertile in the valley and lies along the Grande Ronde river. It has produced five thousand bushels of wheat on one hundred acres at one crop and as high as one hundred and fifty bushels of barley on one acre. Mr. Rynearson was a liberal contributor to the best factories that were built recently. They now have on the farm an orchard of about one hundred acres and it is one of the largest in the valley and produces abundantly of all kinds of fruits. While Mr. Rynearson was crossing a foot bridge over the Grande Ronde river, it gave way, precipitating him into the water where he was drowned. The shock proved too great for his wife and on January 10, 1901, she departed to the world beyond, leaving three daughters alone here. The death of these worthy people was cause of sincere and widespread mourning throughout the county. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Rynearson occurred in Laporte, Indiana, in 1869, and Mr. Rynearson had gone all the way back to claim his bride, Miss Mollie, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Finley) Sharp, and she accompanied him across the plains to this country. The daughters now own and manage the farm, all living together in the home place and they have manifested good ability in handling the estate. Mrs. Kate Hanley is the oldest, being born in 1870, and in 1892 she married James Hanley, an engineer on the O.R.&N., who came to his death in old Mexico, leaving his widow to mourn his loss. Also one child, Ethel P. now going to school in Lagrande. Miss Carrie L. Rynearson is the second daughter, being born in 1876 and forms one of the trio that manages the farm. Edna J., the third daughter was born in 1887 and is now attending school in the town. The father was an active participator in politics, being a Republican and also performing the duties of school clerk for many years. Miss Rynearson is a member of the Episcopalean church and the three sisters are very highly esteemed in the community and it is with pleasure that we have accorded to them a slight representation in this volume, as they are valuable and influential members of society and with gracious dignity they preside over an attractive home which is the center of refined hospitality.