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F. L. Paddock, familiarly known as "Tom," has passed the greater part of his life in Bon Homme county (SD), where he is now farming in Cleveland precinct. He was born at Lime Springs, Howard county, Iowa, March 15, 1868, a son of CHARLES A. and SARAH (Barnes) PADDOCK.

The father (Charles), a native of Cook county, Illinois, was born January 9,1837, and was a scion of old New England stock. His parents, Richard and Nancy (Betts) Paddock, were born in Oneida county, New York. Mrs. Sarah (Barnes) Paddock was a daughter of Elisha and Sally (Palmer) Barnes. Richard Paddock came west in the early '30s and settled in Cook county, Illinois, when Chicago was a mere village and about 1841 removed there. Five years later he emigrated to McHenry county (IL) and in 1887 went to Minneapolis, where he passed away in 1894, at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. His wife died in McHenry county in 1882.

In 1862 Charles Paddock removed still farther west and settled in Howard county, Iowa, finding employment at his trade as a mason around Lime Springs until he came to South Dakota in 1873. Loading his worldly possessions into a prairie schooner drawn by oxen, he started in September on a journey of three hundred miles to his destination in Bon Homme county, arriving October 10, 1873, having previously inspected the country and decided upon his location. The journey took twenty-four days and was not without its hardships. He first filed on a preemption claim, but later changed to a homestead claim, his farm comprising the northwest quarter of section 20, township 94, range 59. As the family arrived too late in the fall to build a house Mr. Paddock rented for the winter, but in the spring built a small log house, to which he added another room in 1876. Three years later he added a half story and replaced the straw and clay roof with shingles, making his residence a very comfortable pioneer dwelling.

In the early days before his land was producing to its fullest extent and when the prices for produce were very low he followed the trades of mason and plasterer throughout the winter and thus kept his family supplied with the necessities of life. Later he concentrated his attention upon his farming interests, from which he derived a gratifying income. He had but fifty cents when he reached Yankton and the comfortable competence which he accumulated was the reward of much toil and self-denial and the use of good judgment.

In 1880 he and his wife united with the Congregational church and his political allegiance was given to the republican party. From 1885 until 1892 he served on the state board of agriculture and in that capacity did much to further the development of scientific farming in the state. He retired and removed to Oregon in 1899 where he passed away November 26, 1902, and his wife died in that state March 16, 1900.

To Mr. and Mrs. Charles Paddock were born ten children, eight of whom survive: Elliott, who is engaged in the real-estate business at Pierson,Iowa; James and Willis, who are living in Oregon; F. L., of this review; Nellie, living in Oregon; Nena, the wife of Milton Turnbull, of Oregon; Anna, who married William P. Eymer, of Tyndall, South Dakota; and Albert, a veterinary surgeon living in Oregon. Emma, who died in 1897, was the wife of I. W. Seaman, formerly a stockman of Mitchell, South Dakota. Frank A. died in Union Oregon, in 1906.

HANNAH PALMER. - The venerable and esteemed lady, whose name appears at the head of this article, is one of the well-known persons of Lagrande, having lived here since the early infancy of the town; in fact, owning the land upon which the town is built, and having faithfully done her share in the noble work of making Union county what it is now, while she has always manifested the graciousness and discretion, which so becomingly characterize her, ever maintaining a high sense of her stewardship.

In Delaware county, Pennsylvania, on April 7, 1814, Hanna Palmer was born to John and Beulah (Walter) Palmer, and in her native place she was well educated in a good academy, remaining also in that county until the year 1857, in which season she removed to Iowa. Seven years were spent in that state and in 1864, she endured the hardships of the arduous trip across the plains to the Grande Ronde valley. They settled at Lagrande, purchasing the land where a portion of the town stands. They gave their attention to farming, and it seemed that all things assisted in their prosperity, because of the excellent wisdom that was displayed in their ways. At the present time, our subject is residing with her son, Joseph, who is one of the most prominent and able business men of the county, being a stockholder in the electric light plant and in the leading bank of Lagrande, besides owning much other valuable property. In 1824, or the year following, our subject had the pleasure of shaking hands with that noble patriot, Lafayette, remembering him well, and also she stood on the Brandywine battle ground. She has also stood in the spot where the Declaration of Independence was signed. In 1835, our subject was married to Robert H. Palmer, son of Joseph and Mary (Hall) Palmer. Mr. palmer died September 30, 1901, being eighty-nine years of age. In 1871 Mrs. Palmer went back to Pennsylvania, staging to Kelton, Utah, and thence by rail. She returned one year later. In 1889 she and her husband made a trip to their old home in the Keystone State. She is now one of two who are living in the generation of her own and her husband's families. Mrs. Palmer has the distinction of riding on the very first railroads built in the United States. She has become the mother of the following children: Beulah, wife of F. Newlin, living in Lagrande; Joseph, married and living in Lagrande; John, deceased, but leaving five children, who are living in Baker City; Anna E., wife of A. Jones, living in Lagrande and the mother of four children: Lydia, wife of B.W. Grandy, living in Lagrande, and having six children: Charles L., living in Baker City; Frank, married, and living in Portland and the father of two children: Emma, wife of C.V. Harding, having seven children. Mrs. Palmer is the recipient of the esteem and love of all who know her, both because of her faithful labors and because of her real worth.

Mr. Parker was born in Shelby county, Missouri, in 1845, on a farm and in 1852, when he was seven years of age, he was taken across the plains with the balance of the family, and the sad event of the father's death occurred when they were in the midst of the weary journey across the plains. The mother went on with her little flock and located in October, of the same year, on a farm which the father had taken in Sonoma county in 1849. They lived there one year and the mother married again, and then sold the farm and bought another in a different part of the county. Our subject was active in working out during the summers and in attendance upon the schools of the section in the winters. Two years also he worked for his board while attending school. At about the age of fourteen years, he went to Lake county and engaged in herding stock for two years. Then he went to Healdsburg, and there attended the academy, graduating therefrom in 1862, being under the tuition of Professor Mathison. He immediately came to the north after this, locating in Union county in 1863. He first engaged in packing and freighting, taking goods to the Idaho mining camps. He has the distinction of being with the first pack train that unloaded in Blackfoot City, his connection being bell boy and cook, and the train in question belonging to a Pegleg Smith, and the date, 1865. He continued in this business until 1868, then went to Mountain City, Nevada, and there killed the first beef, sacrificed in that place, then in 1870 came back to Lagrande. He rented a farm for five or six years and then paid sixteen hundred dollars for the relinquishment to one quarter section, which he homesteaded, living on that place for twenty-four years. In 1897, he sold it for five thousand dollars, and bought a quarter where he now lives, one and one-half miles east and one and one-fourth miles south from island City. To that he has added from time to time bypurchase until he owns a fine estate of ten hundred and forty acres. He is one of the heavy stockmen and leading agriculturists of the county and is a fancier of blooded cattle and hogs, having some fine registered specimens. Mr. Parker has his farms well improved and he handles them with skill, while he has erected fine commodious buildings which make his place both attractive and comfortable, and a general air of thrift and care pervade the premises, showing industry, wisdom, and attention to business, governed by good taste.

In 1871, Mr. Parker married Miss Martha E., daughter of William and Elizabeth (Dodson) Lanman, and they have become the parents of the following children: Vernon, married to Jake L. Bartimass and living on Rock creek: Deloras, wife of Walter Williams, engaged in a grist mill in Island City: Maude M. was married to Claude Childers in Alicel; Pearl E., Walter C. and Roy V. Fraternally, Mr. Parker is affiliated with the Masons, being one of the oldest members in Lagrande, while in politics he holds with the Democrats, and is a stanch supporter of his belief in the Jeffersonian Democracy. Mr. Parker is esteemed among his fellows, maintains a standing for uprightness and morality that is gratifying, while his wisdom and vigor have place him in the prominent position that he holds today.

JAMES M PARKER. - There is no more worthy subject for the pen of the writer than the sturdy, faithful pioneer. Little will ever be said concerning that life compared with the amount that might really be mentioned in praise of this noble class of individuals. We are pleased to announce that the man whose name appears at the head of this article belonged to that number of praiseworthy men who opened this country, doing work here before the middle of the last century, and from that time until the present maintaining an upright demeanor, displaying good ability to properly fill the stations of life where he has wrought, and constantly laboring for the development of the country and for the welfare of all, while his priceless qualities of moral worth and intrinsic value have been a light to many on the pilgrim road.

James M. Parker was born in Surry county, North Carolina, on September 20, 1826, being the son of John Parker, a noted farmer of that region, and a prominent citizen of his state. There our subject was educated and at the tender age of fourteen years his adventurous spirit led him to begin the journey to the west, landing in Buchanan county,Missouri, in that year. He at once set to work for wages and six eyars were spent in steady employment in that county. Then being twenty years of age he was led to seek still further toward the setting sun and so in 1847 he joined one of the trains that dragged their weary way across the baked plain and rugged mountain, beset by hostile savages and innumerable hardships, toward the Pacific coast. Battles too numerous to mention individually were participated in, and well along toward the close of the journey they had a severe encounter with the redskins, and our subject received a serious wound in his right arm, the bone being fractured. No doctor was in attendance and it was with difficulty that the member was saved, and in fact, it was with great odds against his life itself that he endured. Fourteen days later he arrived where a physician was to be had. An amputation was ordered at once but the sturdy will of the subject refused all obedience to the physician, and the result was hat the arm was saved. However, the bone not being properly set, the knitting was not perfect, still he has had use in a measure of that improtant member since that day. As soon as he was able to work he took employment in a sawmill in the Willamette valley and spent two years there. Then he went to Linn county and took a half-section of government land. He went to buying and selling stock and for twenty years he did a thriving business. Then he sold out and came to Union county, taking a pre-emption claim, which later wa abandoned because of savages on the war path. He remained in the Grande Ronde valley, purchasing a quarter-section, the year being 1871. For twenty-six years he continued in this place, taking, in the meantime, a pre-emption for range, raising stock and buying and selling cattle. Success invariably attended him in his endeavors because of good judgment, careful attention to business and sagacity and industry displayed always. In 1896 he rented his place and purchased a couple of acres three-fourths of a mile east from Lagrande, built a house and retired form the activities of business. Mr. Parker has well earned his rest and is now enjoying his riper years in comfort and repose.

Mr. Parker married Miss Mary, daughter of Abraham Smith, an old pioneer of the Grande Ronde valley. This wedding occurred in 1853, and this worthy couple have become the parents of thirteen children, as follows: Emoline, single; Julia, married to Mace Young; Abraham, married to Eva Roberts; John: Sarah, wife of George Bloom; Martha, deceased; Ida M., wife of Bert Benton; William, deceased; Laura L., deceased; James, married to Emma Huntly; Bert A.; Frank; Viola, wife of Stephen Cady of Union.

Eight of the living children are in the Grande Ronde valley and two are in the Wallowa valley. Mr. Parker is a member of the I.O.O.F., and also takes a great interest in politics and the welfare of the county, and he is highly esteemed by all.

CHARLES R. PATTEN. - It is with pleasure that we are enabled to grant to the esteemed gentleman whose name is at the head of this paragraph a representation in this volume of Union county's history, since he has labored faithfully here for the advancement of the county and has demeaned himself in such a commendable manner that he has won the admiration and esteem of all who are acquainted with him.

Charles R. was born in Walla Walla, Washington, on December 10, 1860, being the son of William H. and Elizabeth A. (Young) Patten, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Missouri. The father came to California in the early fifties nad two years later migrated thence to southern Oregon, where he was married and then removed to Walla Walla. In this place he raised stock and did carpenter work, being the builder of the first jail in that city. In 1864 he left Walla Walla and came to Union county, taking as a homestead the ground where Summerville is now located. He took up saw milling and farming until 1888, then retired from active work, living in Elgin, in which place, in the spring of 1889, he was called hence by death, the mother having passed away in March, 1872. Our subject worked with his father until he had attained the age of twenty-three, then engaged as salesman with Dan Sommers in Summerville and Elgin for nine years. Subsequent to that time he was occupied with saw milling in different portions of the county and then took charge of the place where he now lives, three miles northwest from Elgin.

On January 13, 1884, Mr. Patten married Miss Sarah Ohns, in Summerville, and two children were the fruit of this union, Ray and Harvey. On March 22, 1888, Mrs. Patten was called away by death.

On March 22, 1896, Mr. Patten contracted a second marriage, the lady of his choice being Miss Emma, daughter of Y.S. and Catherine Darr, and the nuptials were celbrated in Lagrande. Three children have been born to them, Leo, Murray and Jean. Mr. and Mrs. Darr came to this county in 1882 and he engaged in farming and saw milling. At the present time they are living with our subject. Mr. Patten is a member of the W. of W., Rockwell Camp, No. 700. He is a man of enterprise and has won the meed of success in his endeavors, being one of the substantial citizens of the county.

The very flattering reports, which returning parties from Oregon had circulated relative to that territory, reaching his ears, he determined to come West, and in 1851 joined a party of emigrants at Council Bluffs, arriving at his destination in October of that year. In that company he first saw the lady, then a girl of fourteen years, who afterwards became his wife. He first settled on Yamhill county, where he remained until December, when he located at Salem. In the spring of 1853 he removed to Jackson county, and was shortly afterwards elected county judge. During the Indian war of 1855-56 he served as orderly sergeant in Company A, commanded by Captain John F. Miller.

On August 3, 1854, he was united in marriage to Miss Frances M., the only daughter of Hon. E.F. and Eliza Cooke of Salem. The first year of their married life was passed in Jacksonville; when, at the earnest solicitations of the parents of his wife; they removed to Salem. He served as chief clerk of the house in 1860, and, in 1861 was appointed chief clerk in the office of the superintendent of Indian affairs, under W.H. Rector. He was for several years secretary of the people's Transportation Company, and was again elected chief clerk of the house in 1866. In 1872 he was elected representative to the legislature from Marion county, and in 1876 was appointed appraiser of merchandise for the District of Willamette, serving in such capacity for seven years. In 1884 he was appointed United States consul at Hiogo, Japan, and held that position until 1887.

Mr. Patton has for many years taken an active interest in Masonry, and has ably filled the greater number of the more important offices within the gift of that fraternity. He has served as grand secretary, grand treasurer and deputy grand master. In June, 1889, he was elected grand high priest of Royal Arch Masons, serving one term, and for sixteen years served as chairman of the committee on foreign correspondence for the grand chapter, with acceptance at home and abroad, his annual reports being received with marked favor in every grand jurisdiction. During his career in public life, many and varied acquirements were demanded to meet all the positions he had been called upon to fill; yet he has adorned all of them. Being a shrewd business man, and cautious in his investments, success has attended his enterprises. He owns considerable real estate in Salem, and is credited with being well fixed in worldly affairs.

Mr. Patton's greatest sorrow has been brought about by the death of his estimable wife, which occurred December 7, 1866. His family consists of three children, two sons and one daughter, the latter being the wife of John D. McCuly, of Joseph, Union county, Oregon. Politically speaking, Mr. Patton is a Republican; and his religious tendencies are cast with the Congregational church.

WILLIAM G. PEACH. - There is no doubt but there should be special mention in this volume of the abiding chronicles of Union county, of the capable and venerable citizen, whose name appears at the head of this article, and it is with pleasure that we accord to him space for the epitome of an interesting and eventful career, since his abilities are worthy of such, and since his success has been achieved by meritorious effort, and since his character is upright, stanch, and worthy to be exemplified.

Mr. Peach was born in the Green Mountain State, at Newbury, Orange county, on October 15, 1833, and there were spent the first nineteen years of his life. The school facilities were limited, and so our subject had the opportunity to attend school but three months in his life, which lack, however, he has amply made up for in personal research and extensive observation. At the budding age of nineteen, in company with two cousins, he embarked at New York for San Francisco, going via the isthmus route. The cost of a steerage ticket was one hundred and sixty dollars, while they paid ten cents per pound for transportation of their baggage across the isthmus. September 7 was the date they sailed from New York, and October 5 the day when they slipped through the Golden Gate, and beheld the Mecca of the world at that time. Immediately they took boat for Stockton, and soon were in the mining district, and had a property which they worked for seven years, clearing a number of thousand dollars apiece out of the transaction. In 1858 our subject came to Marin county, California, and remained there until 1873, when the fertility of the Grande Ronde valley attracted him, and he came hither, purchasing a half section four miles from where his present place is situated. He took up general farming and dairying for three years, and then rented his land and went to the Willamette valley for seven years. At the expiration of that period, he returned to island City, and in 1883, in company with his two sons bought a three-fourths interest in the large estate of over two thousand acres, which lies five miles east from Island City. In 1902, they bought the remaining one-fourth of the property, and they handle one of the largest dairies in the county. They milk sixty head of thoroughbred Jerseys and have eighty-four more of the same stock. Their herd is estimated to be the best in the entire state, which means much, as Oregon is essentially a stock state. They handle fine horses, having seven head of thoroughbred Percherons and about thirty other good ones. Their land produces about eight thousand bushels of grain besides the hay and pasturage necessary for their herds.

In 1860 Mr. Peach married Miss Jane, daughter of James and Eliza (Pete) Seaver, and a native of Craftsbury, Vermont. To this union there were born the following children: Sarah J., married to H.H. Brand, who now lives in China, the wife having died in 1887; Angeline E., wife of Charles H. Vantress, a farmer; James S., George W., who took as wife Minnie E. Price; Mary L., married to W.C. Young, a Seventh Day Adventist preacher in Spokane. Politically, Mr. Peach is allied with the Republicans, and for sixteen years he held the office of road supervisor. Fraternally, he is affiliated with the Masons, and in his church relations he is identified with the Seventh Day Adventist denomination. In 1897, Mrs. Peach was called from her loved ones by the hand of death. Mr. Peach is now passing the golden years of his life in the quiet enjoyment of the good things that his labor has produced, and is everywhere highly esteemed and respected, being a man of unswerving integrity and good principles.

JOHN J. PEEBLER. - Among the very first settlers of the Grande Ronde valley, if not the first actual one to begin residence here, we mention the esteemed gentleman and worthy pioneer whose name appears above, and who has been identified with the interests of Union county since its organization and with this section before Union county was in existence, laboring ever for the promulgation of sound principles and the inauguration of good government and the material progress and substantial improvement of both his state and county.

John J. Peebler was born to Samuel C. and Dorothy Peebler in Jefferson county, Iowa, on July 25, 1836, and when he was six years of age his parents both died, leaving him an orphan at that tender age. There was but one intervening day between these deaths, which made it doubly sad. The struggles that must have come to the young lad from this date until we next see him are veiled and we necessarily pass them by. In 1853, when he was a youth of seventeen summers, he made the arduous and yet exciting trip across the plains with his uncle, David Peebler. The entire distance was covered with ox teams and the train was composed of forty or more wagons, and it is of note that they made the whole trip without accident or molestation. They located in the vicinity of Salem, and there he assisted his uncle in the work of the farm for two years and then participated in the well known Rogue river war with the Indians. Following this struggle he went to the mines, remaining for two years, and then repaired to Douglas county near Roseburg, where, in December, 1859, he was joined in the holy bonds of matrimony with Miss Amelia A., daughter of Thompson and Nancy Grubbe, and to them have been born the following children: An infant, deceased before it was named; Olive Syrene, wife of John F. Green, of Payette; Evan T., married to Annie Walker, living near Lagrande; Mary A., deceased; Clara Henrietta, wife of William Allan, near Lagrande; Henry Walter, Adolph Eugene.

In the spring of 1862 Mr. Peebler came with his family to the Grande Ronde valley and selected his present home place. At that time there was but one log cabin in the valley. He set to work with the energy and skill and courage of the true pioneer to make a home and to open the country for settlement. He entered land and improved it with fences and buildings, and because of his thrift and industry, prosperity ahs attended his efforts. Since 1862 he has remained here and has seen the country settle and the buildings rise and the towns of the county spring up, and steadily he has pursued his way, that of the upright, intelligent and substantial citizen, ever laboring for the welfare of all. From time to time he has added to his real estate of six hundred acres, which is well improved and very productive. The entire amount is fenced and good buildings, as barns, dwelling and other necessaries are erected and maintained, while a good orchard and other evidences of labor and sagacity are abounding on every hand. All of these things testify plainly of the position that Mr. Peebler holds in the agricultural and stock-raising world. He is one of the leaders of the county and as such is entitled to especial credit, since he took the raw material from nature's hands and wrought out the good things that are his now to enjoy. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Masons, and in that relation, as in all the relations of his life, he is esteemed and highly respected. Now as the golden years of his career begin to run apace and the season for riper thoughts and the maturer fruits of life draws on, he is justly entitled to enjoy the fruit of his labor and reap the rewards of his thrift and integrity, since he wrested from the wilds of nature the domain that he possesses and fought back the savages who repelled the invasions of civilization's pilots, and has always in his relations with his fellows been upright and manly and dominated with wisdom and kindness.

JOHN J. PEEBLER. - Mr. Peebler was born in Iowa in 1837, and while but a boy of six years met the irreparable loss of his parents, who died within twenty-four hours of each other. With an uncle, David Peebler, he crossed the plains in 1853, and made his home at Harrisburg, in Linn county, Oregon. During the Indian disturbances of 1855, he went to Umpqua valley and served with the volunteers on Rogue river. He continued his journeys to Yreka, where he mined for eighteen months, returning thereafter to the Umpqua valley.

In 1859 he was married to Miss Antoinette Grumble, and in 1862 went to the Salem river gold mines, thence to the Grande Ronde valley, and then back to the Umpqua. Being very much pleased with the Blue Mountain country, he determined to bring thither his family and make the Grande Ronde his home. He located at Ladd's Cañon, Union county, Oregon, where he still resides, owning five hundred and sixty acres of fine land, which is stocked with sheep, cattle and horses. Three married children are living near them; and three unmarried are at home.
 

Of the many stories which he tells with feeling and humor in regard to the early settlement of the Wallowa valley, the following are specimens. His niece, returning home from the log schoolhouse one evening met face to face by a panther. Being near home, she called out to her father, and meantime struck the animal with one of her school books. The stroke and the scream caused the panther to slink away; and the father, coming quickly with his gun, secured a fine skin. In 1879 Mr. Proebstel drove his herds to the Imnaha, a portion of the Wallowa country, in order to obtain open range. There he stayed for four years, and while there was much annoyed by grizzly bears and panthers. The grizzlies were frequently disposed of by setting fifty-pound steel traps in a pen, wherein was fresh meat bait, and also a large hog at the opening. The bear usually put his fore foot into the trap as he attempted to gain the bait, or was lured on by the hog. Occasionally panthers were caught in this way; and one is mentioned, both of whose hind feet were thus pinioned, so as to make it impossible for him to tear open the dogs' bodies, as he could have done without this hindrance.

George W. was a participator in the Indian war of 1855, belonging to Captain Kelly's company; and upon his discharge found himself in debt fifteen dollars for the clothes which he had worn out in the service. In 1863 he endeavored to find his fortune by repairing to the Idaho mines, and remained as much as five years. Returning to Clarke county in 1868, he married and located a homestead on heavily timbered land, forty acres of which he cleared within ten years. In1878 he selected a new home at Weston, Umatilla county, and engaged with his brothers in a flouring mill, which was burned four years later. After this he clerked in a store for one year; and, being careful of his earnings, he was enabled to embark in business upon his own account, buying out an extensive hardware business, and establishing a store, which he is at present successfully conducting. Mr. Proebstel is one of the most successful citizens in that locality.

WILLIAM PROEBSTEL. - In the word, pioneer, is wrapped more real substance and genuine meaning than perhaps in any other word of the English language. Its pronunciation brings vividly before us weary days of marching through the trackles wastes of western desert, enduring the pain of hunger, thirst and waning strength, although courage was never less to the pioneer and the buoyancy of hope never shone dimmer than when first its vision lured him to turn his face from civilization hired him to turn his face from civilization and begin the pilgrim journey toward the setting sun. What scenes of herculean struggles when the destination was reached, when from the wildness of nature there was a rude home carved to shelter the hardy subjects until little by little the comforts of life could be added. What days and night of anxiety were spent in watching and fighting the savages, who roamed but to destroy. All this, and much more were the experiences of these noble men and women, who gave to us this good land of plenty and peace. As a leading figure and worthy representative of this class, stands the subject of this sketch, and what more could we say, and surely he deserves no less, than that Wiilliam Proebstel was a pioneer in every true sense of the word and in the place where he wrought with such indefatigable energy and true integrity, there he has grown venerable and now enjoys the proper fruits of his toil.

In Germany, in 1829, our subject was born and there acquired his education and spent the years of his childhood until 1842, when he accompanied his parents to the United States, settling in Clay county, Missouri. Some time after their arrival, in the year 1852, it is stated, the mother with her little flock of eight children, gathered their substance together and undertook the long and wearisome journey to the land of the Pacific coast. Hardships of the arduous journey were easy to bear when they were all together, and day after day they steadily pursued the journey westward having no particular accident nor trouble until one day the mother sickened. All that her loving children, eight sons, could do was done but all to no avail for the disease refused to be checked and the messenger of death rudely stepped into their midst and snatched away the beloved mother. Words can hardly portray the unutterable sadness and loneliness that settled on that little group of broken hearted children when they were forced to lay in the grave by the old emmigrant trail the remains of their cherished and dearly beloved mother. The rude instruments of burial improvised for the occasion, the cheerless plain with its desert waste of loneliness and above all the sickening pain of death itself, were things never to be forgotten. It was with bowed heads and breaking hearts that they tore themselves from the sacred spot and slowly took up the cheerless journey to the west. In due time they reached the Willamette valley and the older sons later took land near Portland, which has since become the Proebstel addition to that flourishing city. Our subject remained there four years and then went to Clark county, Washington, and bought a section of land where he labored until 1863, then came to his present place in Union county. He has given his attention to farming and stock raising here continuously since. His farm consists of five hundred and twenty acres all well improved and skillfully handled. He now rents the land, having retired froma ctive labor, and lives in a home on his farm, whence he attends to the oversight of his estates.

In 1862, Mr. Proebstel married Miss Lucinda Nessley, a native of Ohio, whose parents were pioneers of the west. To them have been born five children: Emory, Frank F., Hattie, Wendel P., and Molly. Mr. Proebstel is one of the highly esteemed citizens of the county and has always labored faithfully for the interests of the county and the welfare of all.

DR. WILLIAM PROEBSTEL. - Few among our early residents have been more serviceable to society than the gentleman whose name appears above. He was born in Germany in 1829, and is the son of a wine-grower. He received his primary education in the old co8untry, and at the age of thirteen migrated to America, locating in Missouri, remaining there ten years, and receiving from the common schools the rudiments of an English education. He also took a course in dentistry.

In 1852 he crossed the plains to Oregon, locating at Portland. The next spring, with two brothers, he purchased the present site of Albina. In1855 Mr. Proebstel was one of a party of independent scouts who figured in Clarke county during the Indian troubles of 1855-56, after which he removed to The Dalles, engaging in the grocery business, which he conducted eighteen months. In the fall of 1857 he bought a section of land six miles from Vancouver, and engaged in farming. In 1861 he married Miss Lucinda F. Nessly, who crossed the plains with her parents in 1852, and made her Oregon home at Scappoose.

He removed to the Grande Ronde valley in the fall of 1863, and located a mile north of La Grande, where he has resided ever since, and now owns five hundred and twenty acres of land well improved and stocked. He made a specialty of stock-raising until the range was eaten out, varying the monotony by practicing dentistry. He has five children; and his present home is one indicative of refinement and happiness. His numerous friends are always entertained in true pioneer style.
 

SAMUEL A. PURSEL. - Union county's list of business men comprises a wide awake and energetic class that has wrought well for the advancement of the county and among the number are some that have manifested extraordinary ability in financiering and in manipulating the resources of the county. One of this distinguished number is the gentleman, of whom we have the pleasure now to write, and his enterprise and industry have been well known for a third of a century in the walks of business life in this country, while his capabilities have been shown to be second to none in the enterprises that he has inaugurated and consummated.

West Brownville, in the old Keystone state, is the place of his birth, which occurred in 1840. When ten years of age he was brought to Iowa, where his parents remained until the time of their death. When the call of patriotism sounded in his ear, he left the quiet walks of life and enlisted in Company K, of the Fourth Iowa, where he served with valor for about one year, then was honorably discharged and returned to the pursuits of industrial life. In 1872 he left the place of his youth and came to Union county, landing at Lagrande on the 1st of April. He at once saw an opening in the manufacture of lumber and was quick to take advantage of it, locating his first mill at a place designated by the laconic appellation of Stumptown, but now known as Perry. For five and one-half years he operated successfully here and then moved to Union and engaged in the lumber business at that point. He pushed the business with energy and wisdom and was exceedingly prosperous. He also added farming to the commercial efforts and now has a farm of eight hundred acres which produces handsome returns annually. Desiring more quiet, he has retired from the activities of his lumber business and confines himself to the farm, while he lives in the town of Union, having a beautiful residence. While in the business he was one of the most successful operators in the manufacture and sale of lumber in the county, being a pioneer in the industry and bringing to its manipulation both skill and enterprise.

In 1866 Mr. Pursel was married to Miss Esther, daughter of John and Jenette McComas, natives of Ohio. By his integrity and sound principles Mr. Pursel has earned the esteem and confidence of all, and it is but true to say that in a generous measure he enjoys the same, and is highly respected by his fellow citizens.

Mr. and Mrs. Pursel have raised three girls, Viola Bowman, wife of Rev. R.H. Parker; Cara and Sadie Carpenter, daughters of frank and Victoria Carpenter, deceased. Clara has taught in Union county, but is at the present time attending school at Monmouth. Sadie is attending the high school in Union.