Union County Biographies - RYNEARSON

Copyright 1999, 2000
Janine M. Bork

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A.W. RYNEARSON

John and William RYNEARSON

Kate HANLEY and Carrie RYNEARSON


A.W. RYNEARSON. - Mr. Rynearson, one of the most substantial fruit-growers of the Grande Ronde, was born in Pennsylvania in 1830. He received an academic education at McEwansville academy, and at the age of eighteen sought a business field at La Porte, Indiana.

In 1852 he made the journey across the plains to Oregon, living first at Butteville, in Marion county. Ten years later he sought a new location, selecting the Grande Ronde as the most eligible point, and locating near La Grande. He has brought his farm to high cultivation, having an orchard of eight hundred trees, with small fruit likewise. He has successfully cultivated hops for three years.

In 1868 he was married to Miss Mollie M. Sharp of La Porte, Indiana; and they have a family of three girls. In public affairs Mr. Rynearson has a well-recognized position of clerk of Oro Dell School District. During the Union trouble of 1856, he was in the Rogue river valley, and did his part to restore order.

History of Pacific Northwest -
Oregon and Washington
Volume II
Copyright 1889
Page 544



JOHN and WILLIAM RYNEARSON. - To portray the careers of the esteemed gentlemen, whose names are at the head of this article, now becomes our pleasant privilege, and indeed, it would be a serious fault on the part of the compilers of the present history of Union county did they not mention among the leading men of the county these gentlemen, since they have wrought here from the early days and have accomplished much for the development and advancement of the county, while their own business enterprises have been prosecuted with a vigor and discrimnating wisdom that have placed them among the most prosperous residents of the county.

They are the sons of Joseph and Elizabeth (Webster) Rynearson, who were among the pioneers of Pennsylvania, their ancestors coming there in 1770, and among the very first that came west of the Susquehanna river. Their mother's father was taken captive by the Indians and taken to Canada and retained for seven years and then released, when he came back to his parents. One of the sisters of this unfortunate man was killed by a squaw, who threw her overboard when crossing a lake. It was in 1863 that our subjects crossed the plains with mule teams in te Joseph Failes' train. One month was consumed in delay at the Platte on account of trouble with the Indians. Arriving in the Grande Ronde valley they went to work for their brothers, who had preceded them to the valley, coming here in 1862. Then they engaged at various kinds of work for some time, when they took up freighting and handling hogs and in 1867 bought a quarter section where they now live, immediately northwest from Lagrande. They raised barley and wheat, which was sold to the packers. In 1869 they bought another quarter section north from Island City and sold it ten years later. Then they bought two hundred and eighty acres of raw land and broke it up and sold it, and after this they purchased four hundred and eighty acres of timber land, selling the timber and retaining the land. It was in 1893 that they took up mining and now have some fine properties at the head of the Grande Ronde river, among which is the Last Chance, which they own exclusively. This is located between two placer districts and is in Camp Carson. It is a well defined fissure vein of some six feet in width with solid granite walls and is free milling. An assay near the surface shows it six dollars per ton, and depth has made it much more valuable. Water and timber are at hand in abundance for milling purposes. This is one of the promising properties of the county.

In 1880 Mr. William Rynearson married Miss Ella, daughter of G.M. and Lew (Risdam) Tall, and they have now two children, George and Bessie. Our subjects have always been active in political matters and are allied with the Democratic party.

Illustrated History of Union and Wallowa Counties
Copyright 1902
Page 470
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JOHN AND WILLIAM RYNEARSON. - These most fraternal brothers were born in Pennsylvania. They were brought up on a farm and received a common-school education. In 1848 the parents moved to Indiana, where the young men learned the blacksmith trade, and worked at the business in connection with farming until 1865, when they crossed the plains to Oregon, locating in Grande Ronde valley near La Grande, and engaging in farming and stock-raising, - paying twelve and a half cents a pound for seed wheat to commence with. They now own three hundred and eighty acres of fine land, good buildings, a fine orchard, cattle and horses, and are contented and prosperous.

In 1876 they visited the Centennial exposition and their own old home. William took a little hand in the Bannack war of 1878, and had a number of thrilling experiences. On one occasion he, with seven other men and an Indian scout, unwittingly rode among twenty-seven Indians who were concealed in the brush; and he is still congratulating himself on having his scalp left. They were, of course, at the mercy of the savages; and there is a mystery connected with the fact that they were not fired upon.

In 1880 Mr. William Rynearson married Miss Ella Tall of Grande Ronde; and a family is springing up around him. The brothers have a high reputation as hunters, having been very successful in taking deer, elk and bear in the Blue Mountains around their home during the sixties and early seventies.

History of Pacific Northwest -
Oregon and Washington
Volume II
Copyright 1889
Page 544



KATE HANLEY and CARRIE RYNEARSON. - These two sisters are the daughters of one of the most widely known and esteemed pioneers of the Grande Ronde valley, and indeed it is of note that Mr. Rynearson, with his brother, was the gentleman who built the first plow in the entire state of Oregon, and from 1852 until the time of his death he wrought for the advancement of the interests of Oregon and especially the progress of the section of which he was immediate resident, and in all this long career he manifested the noble qualities of uprightness, integrity, marked ability, and enterprise.

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.

Illustrated History of Union and Wallowa Counties
Copyright 1902
Page 315, 316

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