McKenzie, James A.

The following data is extracted from Illustrated History of Union and Wallowa Counties, Oregon.

JAMES A. McKENZIE. - Among the thrifty and intelligent agriculturists of Union county who have steadily pursued their way producing the fruits of the field and raising fine herds of cattle while the years have gone by, making the county what it is at the present time, must be mentioned the influential and loyal citizen, whose name initiates this paragraph,who has labored assiduously in the callings mentioned with an attendant success that has given him the meed of large fields and much property,while he has demonstrated the excellent qualities characteristic of his personality with a concomitant sagacity that dominates his entire course and commends him to the fellowship of his friends and acquaintances.

In the Dominion of Canada, on December 26, 1858, was born James A., being the son of Roderick and Margaret (Ross) McKenzie, both natives of Scotland. The year following the birth of our subject his parents removed to Illinois, whence, in 1863, they came via the plains to the Grande Ronde valley. The train divided at this point, part going on to the Walla Walla country and our subject's father locating on a piece of land a little south from Summerville. In the district schools of our country James A. was educated, and he remained with his father on the cultivation of the farm, which grew from the homestead to eight hundred acres. They were occupied in general farming and raising stock until the railroad came. Our subject removed to his present place, three and one-half miles south from Sumerville, in the eighties. He has a quarter section of fine soil, which is well improved and produces abundant crops. He also owns some fine specimens of Shorthorn cattle, as well as some other stock.

On November 30,1890, Mr. McKenzie married Miss Mary E., daughter of Daniel and Polly (Jesse) Williams, natives of Virginia. In political matters of the county and state, Mr. McKenzie takes an active and intelligent part, while also he has given the district where he resides the benefit of his wisdom in the office of clerk for some time. Mr. McKenzie has never sought for preferment in political lines and he is one of that substantial number who form the real bone and sinew of any community and are the boast and pride of our commonwealth.

Source: Illustrated History of Union and Wallowa Counties, Oregon

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