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. Please let me know if you would like to be listed as a family contact. If you have any biographies you can donate, please drop a line to Janine M. Bork.Your information can help others.

Mr. Mahaffey was born in Park county, Indiana, January 25, 1841, and was educated in Iowa, whither he removed in 1850, where he was engaged in farming until 1862. In that year he crossed the plains to Oregon and went to Salem, where he remained for five years thereafter. The business of freighting drew him past La Grande, Oregon; and in 1867 he removed thither, locating his family, which then consisted of his mother and sister, now Mrs. L.O. Sterns of Baker City, Oregon. After two years in the drug business, and also a time spent in the brokerage business, be bought the Blue Mountain House and conducted it successfully until his death, February 14, 1888, nine years later.

He was married in 1875 to Miss Lou McWaters, daughter of William McWaters, a planter of distinction in Southern Kentucky. His children are Maggie D. and Ernest P.

Mr. Mahaffey was a very active man in a public capacity, ever at the front in all improvements, and was constantly sought for public positions. He was a justice of the peace eight or nine years, and was a councilman of the city, taking an active part in all matters relating to the welfare of the town. He invested largely in farming land, and at the time of his death, in the forty-eighth year of his age, owned forty-seven hundred acres. His death was universally deplored. It can be said of him, which can be said of few men of his age, that never a year passed that he did not visit his mother, for whom he always retained the most ardent affection, as well as every member of his family.

In 1870 he sought a still newer and fresher field in the Inland Empire, laying a claim near the present site of Heppner. While waiting for a city to grow up near him, he followed the life of a stock-ranger, and made himself active in public matters and in the politics of the neighborhood. Coming to Heppner, he was appointed postmaster in 1878, and in connection with attendance upon his office carried a stock of confectionery, and a length developed that into a drug business. In 1880 he reconverted his goods and business location into livestock, resigned his office, and assumed the life of a sheep-rancher; but in 1881 he returned to the city and entered once again upon business as a druggist. That he followed successfully until 1888. In that year he was able to sell his drug store to advantage, and to set up a flourishing business in the line of furniture, which he at present conducts to his own profit and to the advantage of the public.

In 1882 Mr. Mallory was married to Miss Mary Davis, of Union, Oregon. They have one daughter, Maud.

JAMES A. MASTERSON. - It now becomes our pleasant privilege to outline the interesting career of the estimable gentleman, whose name is at the ehad of this article, and who stands as one of the prominent and representative men of Union county, being also aheavy property owner, and having manifested since an early day here ability that was master of the situation and has acuumulated his holdings from the raw resources of the county, while also he has maintained an untarnished reputation and has done much for the advancement of the county, being really one of the builders of Union county.

In Lexington, Kentucky, on October 10, 1842, our subject was born to William A. and Elizabeth J. (Violet) Masterson, natives respectively of Kentucky and Pennnsylvania. The father was a mill wright and went to Lexington, Missouri, in 1843, and as early as 1851, brought his family over the barren trail to Lane county, Oregon. he took a donatin claim and gave his attention to farming and stock raising until September 8,1890, when he was called to the world beyond. The mother is living in Lagrande, being a property owner of the city. In 1863, our subject stepped from the parental roof and launched out into life's activities for himself, mining first and then returned in fall of 1864, to the Willamette valley and fitted out, in connection with his brothers, wagons and came to The Dalles and they engaged in freighting from there to the mines of Idaho. Seven years were spent in this vigorous and arduous work, and then he sold his interests to his brother, also a blacksmith shop which he had been operating in Cove, and went to Wallowa valley, taking the first wagon into the valley in 1872. He carried the first plow with him and struck the first furrow in that fertile country.He took a homestead between Lostine and Wallowa, that is the sites of those towns, no settlement being there then, and engaged in raising stock. He remained there for nineteen years and then hadmuch property besides his four hundred and eighty acres of land. he was, during htis time, the first postmaster, but resigned in favor of another man, and from1888 to 1890 he was county commissioner of Wallowa county. In 1891, he came to Elgin and in partnership with his son-in-law, Robert Mays, opened a mercantile establishment and warehouse. The mercantile establishment was soon sold to D.B. Hendricks, but the warehouse is under the management of Mr. Mays. Mr. Masterson has also found time to take an active part in the banking business of Union county, being at the present time president of the Stockholders Bank of Elgin, and his ability, and keen foresight have been in inestimable value to that institution. He also owns three quarters of a section of good timber land in this county and a fine home of modern design and provided with all conveniences of the day in Elgin.

On January 21, 1869, Mr. Masterson married Miss Almira, daughter of Chancey and Sarah 9Ryan)Blanchard and the following children have come to gladden the union; Hattie J., wife of Robert Mays, of Elgin; Daniel, died November 18, 1879, aged seven years; H. Gibens, Rena C. Mrs. Masterson's parents are natives of new York, the father being a sailor, and they came to oregon in 1867, settling in the Cove, whence five years later he went to sea and there died, being buried in the Pacific ocean in 1875. The mother is married again and lives in Boise, Idaho. Mrs. Masterson was born August 28, 1840, in New York. Mr. Masterson is affiliated with the Masons, Elgin Lodge, No. 98; with the Blue Mount Chapter, No. 52, I.E.S.; with B.P.O.E., at Lagrande. He was in Alaska in 1898 and engaged in the hay and grain business for one year. Went to Cape Nome and engaged in the butcher business and in 1901 returned home.

On August 31, 1860, in McMinnville Oregon, our subject first saw the light, being the son of John C. and Martha J. (Nye) Mays, natives of North Carolina, who were married on June 22, 1851 in Missouri, Brown county,and the following year threaded the dreary plains and climbed the rugged mountains that separated eastern civilization from the western wilds, using for transportation ox teams. Settlement was made in Yam Hill county, three miles distant from McMinnville, and a donation claim of one-half section was secured. Work commenced in earnest to make a good home, and when sixteen years later Mr. Mays sold his farm it was one of the best and most finely improved in the entire valley. In 1869 they came to Walla Walla and thence, soon afterwards to Umatilla county, where four hundred and eighty acres of land was bought near Weston and farming and stock raising employed the father there for eight years. In 1878 he sold out and went to Dayton, Washington, buying school land there and engaging in the sheep business. Eight years later he again moved, this time to Colfax, where he took up the stock business and also operated a livery until February 1, 1882, when he was called from the scenes of life to the realities of a world beyond, his remains being buried in the Dayton cemetery. The mother is now living with her son, Charles, in Elgin. Returning more particularly to our subject, we note that he commenced activity in life for himself at the age of eighteen by engaging in the sheep business in Columbia county, Washington, which he sold two years later and then acted as salesman for Clenderring & Miller, of Dayton, Washington, also being deputy county treasurer of the county, as Mr. Miller held the position of treasurer. In 1886 Mr. Mays went to Lagrande and acted as salesman for J. Brooks one year in a general merchandise establishment. In 1887 Mr. Mays launched into the mercantile world at Lostine, Wallowa county, in company with Mr. McCully, he being the manager of the business. In 1890 Mr. J.A. Masterson, father-in-law to Mr. Mays, bought the interest of F.D. McCully, and they removed the stock to Elgin, opening a store on the ground where D.B. Henricks dispenses goods to-day. In 1892 the entire building and stock of goods were burned to the ground, and while they rebuilt the store, they rented it to Mr. Hendricks and later sold it to him. In 1891 they started the warehouse business, and in 1897 Mr. Masterson retired from this and Mr. Mays manages it alone. It is a mammoth business, having care of all the freight that goes to Wallowa county, and Mr. Mays has shown himself to be thoroughly capable to oversee this concern, also giving some time to the handling of real estate and lumber in which Mr. Masterson is still associated with him. Mr. Mays also deals in wool, grain, agricultural implements, and so forth.  He has an elegant brick residence in the city, and since its incorporation he has been councilman, and at one time was mayor. In addition to his extensive interests, Mr. Mays finds time to devote to the advancement of educational affairs, being deeply interested in this worthy cause.

On April 4, 1888, Mr. Mays married Miss Hattie, daughter of J.A. and Almira Masterson, and one child, Chris E., came January 7, 1890, at Lostine, to gladden the happy union. Mrs. Mays was born in Cove on December 20, 1869. Mrs.(Mr.) Mays is affiliated with the B.P.O.E., Lagrande Lodge No. 433, with the Masons, Elgin Lodge No. 98; with the O.E.S. Blue Mountain Chapter No. 52; with the K. of P., Orion Lodge, No. 73; and with the A.O.U.W.

In 1867 in the Grande Ronde valley near Union, in Union county, the subject of this biographical memoir was born to P.H. and Mary A. (Crimin) Miles. His education was obtained largely in the schools of Union county, graduating from the higher school at Union. When he had reached the age of eighteen years he began mining for himself and continued at that occupation for some time. Later he joined the ranks of the educators, where he was successful and taught in different places, ten months of the time being in Spokane, Washington, also reading law under David Herman of that city. Succeeding this he returned to the industry that was most attractive to him, mining, and prosecuted it with vigor for some years, then was appointed chief deputy in the sheriff's office in 1898, where he is still serving at the present time. His mining industry has taken him to various parts of the rich mining regions adjacent to Union and he now has promising oil properties in Malheur county and placer mining property on Eagle creek. While he has been occupied in the mining matters for some years, he has gained varied and valuable experience that enables him to operate at the present time with more assurance of success in his ventures.

The marriage of Mr. Miles and Mrs. Emma Jones, daughter of Mrs. R. Hilts of south Union, was celebrated in 1890, on August 7. Mrs. Hilts crossed the plains in 1863 and was among the very first to remain in this county. Mr. Miles is considered one of the substantial and progressive citizens of the town of Union and is respected and esteemed by all.

How different today appear the rich farms of plenty and the scenes of prosperity in this county, where but a few years since were the wastes of unbroken wildness, peopled by the occasional savage and his attendant companions, the coyote and the timid deer. Men, like the subject of this sketch, stanch, stable and true, came with hearts determined and hands willing to subdue the wild, to repel the savage, and build themselves homes, where now are in evidence the comforts of civilization, wrought out by their faithful endeavors. We are glad to make mention of one who has had a part in this good work and establish his name in the abiding chronicles of Wallowa county.

Benjamin F. Myers was born in 1861, in Missouri, to Henry A. and Louisa (Spikes) Myers. The parents were pioneers to Missouri and migrated to the Grande Ronde valley in 1864, settling at Summerville. There the subject of this sketch was reared and educated and wrought with his father until the latter's death. The mother is still living. Benjamin F. continued to operate the home place until about eleven years since, when he purchased a place in Wallowa county, and there wrought for a period of years. He was thrifty, industrious and handled his land in a becoming manner to one skilled in husbandry. After some time spent in this way he removed again to Union county and lived there, engaged in farming until three years since, and then once more he became a citizen of Wallowa county. He was welcomed back, for he had formed friends and his uprightness and stanch principles made him a valuable addition to the county's population. He resides at the present time two and one-half miles northwest from Wallowa, where he owns one-half section of land. He gives his entire attention to general farming and stock raising, in both of which occupations he manifest good wisdom and is attended with a success and prosperity that bespeak his executive ability, his good practical judgment in the affairs of life, and his untiring efforts in his business enterprises.

In 1883 Mr. Myers took unto himself a wife, the lady of his choice being Miram L. Hamilton, a native of Ohio, whose parents came to Union county in 1870 and settled at Summerville. To this happy union there have been born four children, as follows: Nora, William, Isa and Harry. Mr. Myers is one of the substantial and highly respectable citizens of the county, ever taking that interest in the affairs of government that becomes the good and intelligent citizen, while hi personal demeanor is calculated to inspire confidence and esteem from all who know him. Mr. Myers is a member of the M. W. A. Camp No. 10370, of Wallowa.

Highland county, Ohio, is his birthplace and September 15, 1849, the date that he first saw the light, being the son of Samuel and Phoebe (Hyatte) Minnick, natives respectively of Reckbridge county, Virginia, and Ohio, and early pioneers of the latter state. In 1857 the family came to Jasper county, Iowa, and there the father died, but the mother is still living at the home place. The opportunities for early education were limited and John W. was obliged to make up for the lack by more careful attention and personal research for himself, which has given him a fund of information both practical and comprehensive. At the age of sixteen he engaged as brakeman on the Rock Island Railroad in Iowa, served for five months and then acted as fireman for one year and nine months and then became engineer for four months, enjoyed a wreck and quit railroading. In 1875 he came to Wyoming and worked at carpenter work on a flume, then operated in the sandy smelter in Utah for the winter and returned to Iowa and engaged in coal mining near Oskaloosa. In 1878 he sold his mining interests and came to the west, starting with teams on March 5, and landed in Union county on June 23, and camped on his present place, seven miles east from Union, on the High valley road. He soon had a log cabin erected and filed on a homestead, which has been increased by purchase until he now owns one section. Of this fine estate he farms one hundred acres to wheat and oats and nearly two hundred acres to hay. He owns about fifty hogs and two hundred head of cattle, being grades of the Hereford and shorthorn breeds. Mr. Minnick takes great interest in good cattle, and is doing much to improve the grade. In addition to all the large interests, he operates each year a large thresher and has done so for sixteen years, and is at the present time buying a new outfit. Politically, he is with the Democratic party and with the People's party, having attended the conventions. For nine years he served as road supervisor and did much to improve the roads of the county. Eight years since he resigned this office, finding that it was interfering with his other occupations. His estate has as good improvements as one would fine in the county, being well fenced and in a high state of cultivation, while the implements and necessaries are plentifully provided for the carrying on of the farm in first-class manner. His barns are of the best and his fine, large and well furnished house, bespeak an intelligence and taste that are praiseworthy.

Mr. Minnick was married to Miss Mary Davis, in Evanston, Wyoming, in 1876, and they became the parents of the following children: Jessie, now Mrs. Woolever, living north of Union; Macy, wife of Mr. Evans, of Ennis, Montana; William; Mary; and Ivy. William A. is attending the State Agricultural College at Pullman, Washington, and is fitting himself for a mining engineer. He was chosen as orator for the celebration of Washington's birthday by the Washington Club of his college and in his efforts he has shown marked talent and bright promises for the future. Mrs. Minnick was called from her family by the rude hand of death on March 5, 1889.

In June, 1891, Mr. Minnick contracted a second marriage, the lady being Mary Vass, from the home place in Iowa. Mr. Minnick is affiliated with the I.O.O.F. , Union Lodge, No. 35, and with the Rebekahs. It is of note that in addition to all the other industries that he has successfully carried on, Mr. Minnick has attained a prominent distinction as an orchardist, raising on his estate all the varieties of fruit except those of a tropical nature.

In 1879 he made his residence upon his farm at The Cove, Oregon, having a neat cottage and other perquisites. He owns also a hay ranch of three hundred and twenty acres, with a large number of cattle and other stock. In1888 he was married to Miss Malinda Lynch, of Yamhill county. He has an honorable record as member of the Home Guards during the Indian war of 1855-56.
 
 

On November 13, 1843, the subject of this sketch was born to Frederick and Rebecca (Hill) Mitchell, in Lafayette county, Missouri. His parents were natives of Virginia and came to this state in 1852, using ox teams for the entire journey and settling in Douglas county. His father imported considerable stock when he came to the state and was unfortunate enough to lose nearly all of it the first winter on account of the inclemency of the weather. Following this he took a donation claim in southern Oregon and gave his attention to general farming until the spring of 1863, when he drove stock to the Grande Ronde valley, taking up a homestead here and occupying himself in farming. Returning more particularly to the subject of this sketch, he entered the Roseburg Academy in 1865 and spent two years in the pursuit of knowledge and then took up the duties of the educator in Douglas county, following the same until October, 1870, when he came to the Grande Ronde valley, and there continued in the worthy labors of instruction for three years and assisting his father in his business of farming. In 1878 he bought his present place of three hundred and sixty acres, all good land, besides four hundred and twenty acres on the hills which is used for pasture. His estates are three miles north of Cove and are improved in fine shape and handled in a skillful manner. He gives his attention to general farming, paying considerable attention to fruit culture, having at the present time four acres in orchard, the products of which are sold both in the local markets and shipped to different points. Mr. Mitchell is greatly interested in good stock, and has imported a fine shorthorn bull and also a Holstein and some fine hogs, and he is raising some good specimens and is a leader in this line.

The marriage of Mr. Mitchell and Miss Stevens, daughter of early pioneers of the state, was solemnized in 1870, and to them was born one daughter, Lillie F.

Mr. Mitchell was a second time married, the lady of his choice on this occasion being Jessie Ritchey.

A third time Mr. Mitchell was joined in the bonds of matrimony, the lady that is now his wife being formerly Mrs. Matilda Russel, daughter of James H. St. John, an old pioneer of Kansas. Mr. Mitchell is interested in good government, and is constantly putting forth effort to accomplish these ends. In 1876 he was elected to the state legislature on the Democratic ticket, defeating his opponent, T.T. Geer, the present governor of the state. The efforts of Mr. Mitchell in the halls of legislation, as a private citizen and as a member of the community, have always been capable, faithful and actuated by enterprise and upright principles. He is to-day one of the prominent, respected and well-to-do men of the county.

His first wife having died in 1871, he was married secondly in 1882 to Miss Jessie Ritchie, of Multnomah county, who is also deceased.

Mr. Mitchell is still engaged in farming at The Cove, Oregon, owning two hundred acres of excellent land, and also devotes much attention to the rearing of graded stock. He is a man of recognized worth, and of wide influence.
 
 

Hyrum M. was born to Christian H. and Ella Monson, on November 19, 1873, in Richmond, Cache county, Utah, and there he worked with his father in the lumbering business until he had attained the age of twenty one, gaining meanwhile a good education from the common schools, after which he attended the Brigham Young College at Logan, Utah. Subsequent to that valuable course, he took up the creamery business and perfected himself in the art of making cheese and butter. In 1897 he went to Preston, Idaho, continuing in the creamery business there. In June, 1900, he came to Lagrande, being engaged in the sugar factory there, and in May, 1901, he came to Summerville, taking charge of the creamery association's excellent plant at that place. In this place we find him at the present time, handling this important business with display of faithfulness and ability.

Mr. Monson married Miss Celia, daughter of Christopher and Anna (Kofoed) Funk, of Utah, on January 2, 1895, and this union has been blessed by the advent of three children: Edna L., H. Kenneth, and Bertha L. Mr. Monson and his estimable wife are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and they are faithful supporters of their faith. At the present time Mr. Monson is secretary of the Northwestern States Mission of his church and is also a member of the High Council of the Union Stake of Zion, his ability and faithfulness being recognized by the important ecclesiastical positions that he holds and wherein he is dominated with great wisdom and zeal. Mrs. Monson was one of the first superintendents of the Sunday school in Lagrande, while Mr. Monson has also done much practical field work in the cause having been missionary and traveling elder in Montana, where also he presided over the Butte conference with discretion and sagacity for five months. Mr. Monson is a man, although still young in years, who has manifested not only commendable business ability, but also great zeal and capacity for work in his church, and he is recognized as one of the substantial citizens of our county and a leader in the church circles.

EDWARD BENTON MORELOCK is one of the useful men of eastern Oregon, having maintained his residence for some years past at Elgin. His inherent characteristics, as well as his iron constitution, have qualified him to act as the guardian of peace between the lawless element, always present in a new community, and that other body of industrious, law-abiding citizens who become the real foundation and builders of well ordered civic society. His fame for many years, as a terror to evildoers, has been well established throughout Oregon. Having served in the official capacity of town marshal for a term of years at Summerville and at Elgin, sufficed to convince people of evil intent that any locality in which Mr. Morelock lived was a dangerous and unhealthy place in which to ply the arts of their trade. He was born in Sullivan county, Missouri, May 25, 1845, a son of Enoch B. and Susan (Limebaugh) Morelock, both of whom were natives of Tennessee. They were married in their native state and shortly afterward, in 1843, they removed to Sullivan county, Missouri, where Mr. Morelock established his home. Shortly after taking up their residence in that state, he was elected as the first sheriff of Sullivan county. He was a man of fearless courage in whose hands the safety of property and life throughout the county, could be entrusted with every assurance of diligent and efficient protection. He was killed while in discharge of his duties as sheriff, at a time when he was conducting the sale of some property given into his hands by the court, for that purpose. The owner of the property, being outraged over the due process of law, sought revenge by taking the life of Mr. Morelock, whose only offense was that he was one of the officers appointed by the court to conduct the sale. Mrs. Morelock, some years later, was again married, the name of her second husband being Mr. Stewart. To Mr. and Mrs. Morelock, five children were born, of which the subject of this review was the youngest.

Edward B. Morelock remained at the home of his parents, receiving his early education in the common schools of the district in which he lived. He remained at home during all the early years of his life, caring for the interest of his mother and the remaining members of the family and was so engaged at the time of the opening of the Civil War. In 1863, he enlisted in Company K, Thirty-ninth, Missouri Regiment, Volunteer Infantry, and followed this command for a period of one year, at the expiration of which time, he received his honorable discharge and immediately thereafter reenlisted in Company K, of the Forty-second Volunteer Infantry, remaining with this regiment until peace was established between the north and the south. His history as a soldier is one of unusual interest, because of the constant active service of his command at the front, during the most destructive period of that conflict. He was engaged in nineteen pitched battles, one being the battle of Franklin, in which he had seven cousins shot down, on both sides of the fighting line. He followed the fortunes of his regiment in camp and march and field, through days of rest and battle strife, until the 27th of March, 1865. On that day, he received his honorable discharge at Nashville, Tennessee, and was mustered out of service. Upon his return form the war, he at once prepared to change his residence and for that purpose sought his home on the far Pacific coast. He crossed the plains with an ox team to Oregon in 1865, starting on that journey May 15 of that year, and reaching his destination on October 9, making his first location in the Grande Ronde valley, where he purchased three hundred and twenty acres of school land, and upon it built a log cabin for his home. In his removal to a new country for the purpose of bettering his conditions, he was not unmindful of his mother and she was a member of one of the little emigrant parties who formed the company that traveled across the plains with him and during the remainder of her life, she found a welcome home at his fireside. Here, on this original location, Mr. Morelock remained for a period of seventeen years. During that time, he continued to develop and improve his land and engaged in farming and stock raising. In 1882, he removed to Summerville in this county, where he engaged in an independent business, with which he was connected for eleven years. During his residence in this place, he was elected to the office of town marshal. Such was the condition community life at that time in Summerville that a man of Mr. Morelock's physique, experience, and courage, was required to establish recognition and supremacy of civil law in the common conduct and order of business and social affairs in a self-respecting community. At the time of his election, that part of Oregon was infested to a disturbing degree with irresponsible, lawless characters, who in pursuit of sensation and crime, were accustomed to ride into the villages and settlements and created havoc by their methods of "shooting up the town" and terrorizing the people. Mr. Morelock took charge of the situation in the interests of the people and common decency and in a short time, succeeded in breaking up these traveling bands and resident irresponsible marauders. Having established a condition of peace and safety for the people, he found it to his advantage to again change his residence, and removed to Elgin in this county, where he remained for a period of fourteen years. On reaching Elgin he found that his reputation as town marshal had preceded him, and the conditions of society being practically the same in Elgin, he was called by the people to the office of town marshal of that place, and by pursing the same fearless methods he soon accomplished for the people of Elgin a result as thorough and satisfactory as he had brought about in Summerville. After maintaining his residence for fourteen years continuously in this town, he, in 1907, removed to Portland, where he was engaged in business for the following four years, and returning to Elgin in 1911 he became one of its permanent citizens. Here he has continued to live and he has been engaged in the occupation of an auctioneer. This, together with the necessary attention required to be given to his various business interests, has commanded his entire time and attention. Mr. Morelock has a reputation as an auctioneer as far-reaching as that of his ability and fearless methods in handing renegades and criminals.

Edward B. Morelock was married to Miss Rebecca J. Harris, a native of Sullivan county, Missouri, on July 17, 1864. She is a daughter of Joseph and Mary Ann (Sturgill) Harris, both natives of North Carolina. Mrs. Harris died in 1899 and Mr. Harris Jun 4, 1812, at the age on ninety-one years, having crossed the plains with Mr. Morelock in 1865, settling in Union county, Oregon, where he passed the remainder of his days. The marriage of our subject occurred shortly after he had attained his nineteenth birthday, Mrs. Morelock being at the time sixteen years of age. To this union thirteen children have been born, eleven of whom are still living, and to this family circle have been added twenty-four grandchildren in direct line of descent. The surviving children of Mr. and Mrs. Morelock are: Martha C., wife of William Russell of Elgin; William M., with the Elgin Forwarding Company; Mary S., wife of Elliott Smith of Elgin; James K. P., mayor of Wallowa, Oregon; John W., on the Portland police force; Tilden H., with the Joseph Forwarding Company, of Joseph, Oregon; Albert Lee, chief of the fire department of Elgin, Oregon; Cora May, wife of William Childers, of Portland, Oregon; Emma C., wife of William Christensen, of Portland, Oregon; Roy L., member of the fire department, of Boise City, Idaho; and Leonard Ray, at home.

Mr. Morelock is affiliated with the democratic party, and is one of its progressive liberal adherents. Three of his six sons, however, cast their vote with the republican party. He is a member of the A.F. & A.M. lodge of Summerville. Edward B. Morelock is one of the men whose names will long be remembered in the history of eastern Oregon. He has lived a life of great usefulness and must always be counted one of the important factors in the enforcement of law and order, in this portion of the state. He has given liberally of his services to the public for this purpose, and at the same time provided a competence for his declining years. He bears an honored name wherever known and is always to be relied upon to give his support to the advancement of all measures looking to the improvement and continued peace among the people of his state and county.

From the state whence come so many of our best citizens, came also the subject of this sketch and in Sullivan county, Missouri, he ws born on May 25, 1845, being the son of Enoch B. and Susan A. (Limbaugh) Morelock, natives of Tennessee, but pioneers to the above place in 1841, and there the father served as the first sheriff of the county, being called from life while in the discharge of his duties, in the year 1846. In 1885, in the home of our subject came the summons that called hence the mother and her remains are buried in the Summerville cemetery. In May, 1862, when the call came for men, true and brave, to stand and face the cannon in the defence of their country, Edward B. enlisted in the Sixth Missouri Cavalry, and on July 27,1864, he reinlisted in Company K. Forty-Second Missouri Infantry, being honorably discharged on March 22, 1865. His first service was under General Lyons in the Cumberland army and the second term of service was under Sherman, in all of which relations he ever manifested both courage and faithfulness, leaving a record of which he and his family may well be proud. In May, 1865, with his brother, mother, and his wife's parents, our subject left the scens of youth and the home place and took up the dangerous pilgrimage across the plains to find a home in the western lands. They journeyed in Joe Knoght's train and aside from several serious stampedes, no trouble occrred. he chose a place near Summerville, buing two hundred and forty acres from the state, and settled down to farming and stock raising. His efforts were crowned with success and until 1885 he could be found steadily engaged in the work there and then he sold out and embarked in the stage business from Union to Walla Walla. Later he took up the implement business in Summerville, remaining until 1893, then removed to Elgin, where he opened a real estate and collection office. In 1898, the people called him to the chair of the justice of the peace and since that time he has with efficiency and manifestation of impartiality and uprightness discharged the duties of that office. For tenyears while in Summerville he was marshal. Mr. Morelock has considerable property in Elgin, consisting of houses and lots and has a comfortable home there also. At the time of the Indian outbreak in the sevneties, Mr. Morelock was lieutenant of a company of volunteers. He has ever manifested a commendable spirit of interest in public affairs and is one of the oldest and most influential citizens of the county.

On July 17, 1864, Mr. Morelock married Miss Rebecca J., daughter of Joseph and Mary Ann Harris, the  wedding occurring in Sullivan county, Missouri, and to them have been born the following children: Martha C., William M., Mary, Margaret, deceased, James P., John W., Tilden H., A. Lee, Cora, Emma B., Roy, Ralph, deceased, Leonard R. Mr. Morelock is a member of the Masons, Hiram Lodge, no. 76, of Summerville, and he enjoys a very enviable standing in this, as he does generally throughout the community.

EDWARD B. MORELOCK. - Mr. Morelock was born in Missouri in 1845. While but a child of two years he suffered the loss of his father, who, as sheriff of Sullivan county, was killed by the owner of property that he was selling under execution. Upon the outbreak of the Rebellion, Edward, a youth of sixteen, joined the Missouri state militia, and in 1863 and enlisted in the Forty-second Missouri Volunteer Infantry, wherein he served until the end of the war.

In 1865 he crossed the plains to Oregon, locating near Summerville in Union county, where he took a claim and farmed and raised stock until 1881. In that year he sold his realty and located in the town of Summerville, engaging in the agricultural implement business, in which he still continues. He has been city marshal ever since the incorporation of the place in 1885. He has also acted as deputy sheriff, and has served in similar capacities in connection with his regular business. During the Nez Perce trouble of 1877 he was a member of Captain William Booth's company of Grande Ronde volunteers. He was also a lieutenant in Captain Morant's company of volunteers during the Bannack war of 1878.

He was married in Missouri in 1864 to Miss Rebecca, daughter of Joseph and Mary Ann Harris, of a noted family in that state.
 
 

A region which was once regarded as inaccessible and desolate has now become, by the efforts of a driving body of men, beginning with Mr. Morrow and Mr. Heppner, a thriving and prosperous portion of Oregon. The population of the county is now six thousand, and of Heppner itself about one thousand, with a good outlook in the near future for five thousand. A branch line of the Oregon Railway & Navigation Company brings the city within easy reach of all the markets, and taps a great grain and grazing belt. The first settler upon the townsite of the city was G.W. Standsbury. Morrow and Heppner came next; and together they set in operation the works which have made the place. A subsidy of twenty-five thousand dollars was paid to the railroad company to extend their line and make the city their terminus, as it will be for many years. This shows something of the enterprise of the place.

Mr. Morrow was born in Kentucky in 1827. His father was a trader, and in pursuit of his calling moved with his family to Illinois in 1837, and after three years to Iowa. There he was educated at Mount Pleasant. Thirteen years subsequently the young man came to Oregon, soon finding a home on the Sound at Olympia. Afterwards, in Mason county, he engaged in merchandising, lumbering, mail-contracting, ranching, etc., and induced his parents to come from the East and make their home upon this coast. The father afterwards moved to Washington Territory. He was a man of more than average ability, and showed his capacity for public affairs by taking an active part in politics, and occupying a seat in the territorial legislature. The son, the subject of this sketch, was also interested in matters political, and was auditor of Mason county, to which office he was elected on the Democratic ticket.

During the Indian war of 1855-56, Mr. Morrow did essential service in collecting the Indians who were disposed to be peaceable at the head of North Bay. It was the policy of the government to feed and protect all the Indians that were willing to surrender their arms, to parties appointed to receive them, and be friendly with the Whites. Owing to this order during the fall of 1855, Mr. Morrow went with Colonel Simmons to Fort Nisqually, and with the influence and assistance of Doctor Tomie got the consent of the Indians to be moved to the head of North Bay, where they could be more easily protected from the Whites, and where they would also be away from the influence of the hostiles then in the field.

Morrow and Simmons succeeded in gathering up some two or three hundred and locating them at that point, and kept them for at least four months. Morrow then received orders from Colonel Simmons and Governor Stevens to move them onto Square Island, the place already selected for the reservation. At that point they collected at least two hundred more Indians, making five or six hundred in all. His duties were somewhat disagreeable, as he must give passes and assign daily rations; and, feeling this work monotonous, he resigned and went into the volunteer service, serving in that capacity until the end of the trouble. Many of his experiences led him into peril; and he performed a number of memorable exploits in the field.

In 1864 Mr. Morrow turned his face away from salt water, going to the heart of the Blue Mountains, and engaging at La Grande in general merchandising. He was elected at that place a member of the common council, and was chosen president of that body, - ex officio mayor. Mr. Morrow was also county treasurer of Union county for four years. After eight years in that delightful valley, he located in that portion of Umatilla county which now is constituted Morrow county, building the first house and opening a stock of goods, with a determination to make a city. In this he has been remarkably successful, the city of Heppner (named by himself for his partner) having a phenomenally rapid growth.

He was elected to the Oregon legislature while yet in Umatilla, and in the two houses of that body pushed through the bill to erect the county of Morrow, - named thus at the desire of his constituents. He still conducts his business with marked ability, and enjoys the personal esteem of a large and influential community. He is one of Oregon's prominent, representative men, whose life-work is incorporated distinctively in her structure. His city is his pride; and he looks confidently to its large increase in a short space of time.

In the Indian war of 1856 he bore his part, being appointed assistant agent on the Squak Reservation, and doing active duty as scout under Captain Smith.

He married in Iowa Miss Nancy McEwan, and brought his wife to this new home in the West. Of their eight children but one, now an active man of thirty, is living.

John A. was born in Union county, on the old farm that joins the town of Summervile, where he now lives, the date of this event being June 5, 1871, and his parents were Murdo and Marion (Matheson) Murchison. His parents were born in Canada, the father on January 6, 1818 and the mother on October 12, 1824, the former coming to Stark county, Illinois, in 1853, and the mother i 1849. In April, 1863, they were married, and immediately started across the plains, in the large train, known as the Scotch train, composed of two hundred and fifty wagons, the trip being completed without serious accident of any kind. They settled on the present home place in the suburbs of Summerville, where the father devoted himself to farming and raising stock, and has constantly given himself to those industries sinces that time. During all the years of hardship incident to pioneer life, they toiled faithfully on, and also were exposed to the ravages of the red men, whose hostile attitude brought much suffering and loss upon the residents of this valley. Many times they were forced to pay as high as ten dollars for a sack of flour, and other things needed cost in proportion. Three children were born to them: Belle, wife of John McRae, of Summerville; Bertie A., wife of Thomas A. Rinehart, of Summerville; John A., the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Murchison died on January 22, 1901, after a good life of faithful achievements, beloved and esteemed by all.

Our subject was raised on the farm, receiving a good education from the public schools, and he has remained with his father nearly all of the time. On March 16, 1898, Mr. Murchison married Miss Katie F. Bunnell, daughter of Samuel Bunnell, late of Wallowa, and to them two children have been born; Marold M. and Marion O. Mr. Murchison owns two hundred acres of land in the vicinity of Summerville, valuable both for its timber and its agricultural purposes. Our subject is a member of the A.F.&A.M., Lodge No. 67, and the Eastern Star, No. 62, of Summerville. The father nad mother of our subject were faithful members of the Presbyterian church and stanch supporters of the Christian faith.

Mr. Murphy was born in Franklin, Ohio, on December 9, 1831, being the son of Isaac and Rhoda (Stone) Murphy, farmers, who moved to Illinois in 1849, and there dwelt until the time of their demise. The grandfather of our subject, on his mother's side, Mr. Stone, was a soldier in the Revolutionary struggle and also in the war of 1812. Our subject never had the opportunity to attend the schools in his youth but has instead pursued the muse of knowledge with such successful advances in his own private endeavors that he has gained a good education besides a rich store of general information that well repays the efforts to gain. Early he learned the millwright trade in Jefferson county, Iowa, and in 1852, in company with his employer went to California, using horse teams. First they visited Hangtown, whence they went to Carson Valley, Nevada, and there built the first sawmill in the valley. After this he engaged in mining in gold canyon, where Virginia City is now located, and for three years he made rapid financial strides by selecting out the gold from the soil and dumping the silver with the tailings, not then knowing what it was. The diggins were rich and the three years were well spent. After his venture, he made up a pack train and started for Oregon, landing in Lagrande. Almost his entire party had the small pox, twenty-six of them, and at this time they buried the first child that sleeps in the Lagrande cemetery. He went to Auburn from here and took up mining, which he followed for two years. Then he came back to Lagrande in 1865 and engaged in the carpenter trade. It was in 1871 that he purchased land from the state, two miles northeast from Cove, two hundred acres, and commenced improving the same. He at once turned his attention to raising fruit and he has now about twenty acres planted to the various kinds, which occupies his entire attention. He handles mostly cherries, strawberries, and winter apples. In addition he raises sufficient hay for the stock which is pastured on the balance of the land, having also one hundred acres of woodland. Mr. Murphy is one of the most progressive and up-to-date orchardists of the county, and has had excellent success in his work, producing an abundance of fine fruit.

In 1867, he was married to Miss Julia Isabel, daughter of Frederick and Elizabeth Duncan, pioneers of 1864, to Union county. They have become the parents of two children, one, William W. Murphy, married to Florence Comstock, a member of one of the pioneer families of the county. They have one child, Inez. Mr. Murphy is one of the prominent men of the county, but he has never paid much attention to politics, except to always vote for the men whom he believes to be of sound principles and capable to attend to the affairs of government. His constituency have for a number of years kept him in the office of school director and he has done much for the advancement of the cause of education. Among his neighbors and with his fellows, Mr. Murphy is highly respected and he is esteemed by all, having ever manifested integrity and faithfulness.

It is fitting in this connection to mention something of Mr. Murphy's struggles with the Indians. He fought them in many battles and in skirmishes too numerous to mention, both in Nevada and in California. On one occasion, he was pierced by the bullet from an Indian rifle and lay eight hours in the burning sun of a California hot day. But he survived and the red skins learned to respect him.

In 1864 he made the journey across the plains immediately to the Grande Ronde, Oregon, and located a claim three miles west of Summerville. For six years he was engaged in farming and stock-raising, and afterwards for six years lived in the village to enjoy the advantages of education and society. Purchasing, however, a farm a short distance below town, he again engaged in agriculture, and two years later returned to Summerville, establishing a livery stable. He still pursues that occupation, although retaining his ranches, which aggregate six hundred and fifty acres of excellent land.

His wife, Louisa Speaks, to whom he was married in1845, is no less prominent than himself in a public way. Their home has been blessed with three girls, Catherine, Sarah and Jeannette, and two boys, James and Franklin, all of whom have ranches of their own in that neighborhood.