These 91 biographies and sketches have been taken from the manuscript “An Illustrated History of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties Oregon.” Presently this is an incomplete offering so subscribe to this page if you’re interested on further updates. We will eventually provide the entire manuscript here.
Read MoreThe Grant County Oregon genealogy and history has been derived from different sources and combined here to provide a convenient way for you to access the data.
Read MoreGeo. W. Hayes stands high among the voting attorneys Eastern Oregon, and has established a foothold in Harney County from which it would be difficult to eradicate possessing as he does talent, energy, ambition and industry. He was born In Marion County, Iowa in 1859, coming across the plains with his parents in 1862, in an ox team. They located at Eugene, Lane County, where he stayed until 1874, having at intervals attended the log schoolhouse. Moving to Lake County, he kept up his studies, and at the age of 18 began teaching school, working also at the carpenter’s trade. In 1887 he began reading law, and in 1889 entered the office of C. A. Sweek, at Canyon City, and also read a year in Thornton Williams’ office. May 1891, be was admitted to the bar, and began active practice at Harney City, Oregon. In 1893 he moved to Burns. He has always been an active Republican, and takes a great interest in the welfare of its party. He is married to Miss Annie Alderson, of Harney, and has two...
Read MoreH. M. Horton, the leading druggist of Burns, came to Grant County in 1885, locating in Diamond Valley, where he followed his profession of dentistry. In 1891 he started in the drug business, and has gradually forged to the front until today he has the largest store in Eastern Oregon off the railroad. It is complete in every respect, being composed of drugs, chemicals, sundries, stationery, books, cigars, clocks and jewelry, &c. He occupies his own building, built of stone, of which we show an illustration. H. M. Horton is both it registered pharmacist and dentist in this State, and his able assistant, Mr. D. F. Spiegle, is also a registered...
Read MoreHon. Chas. P. Rutherford, County Judge of Harney County. Is essentially a self-made man. Left an orphan at an early age, his education was that of the tallow dip and district school. At the age of sixteen he began ruining through Idaho and Oregon, also packing from Umatilla landing to Boise Basin. In 1873 he began raising stock in Grant County, but moved five years later to Morrow County. Returning in 1887 to Grant, now Harney, County, he has resided here since. He was formerly a member of the Democratic Party, but was elected County Judge in 1894 on the Populist ticket, being liberally supported by members of all parties on his record as a man. He has aimed to serve the best interests of the County, and through the efforts of himself and the two county commissioners a half million dollars worth of taxable property has been added to the tax roll of Harney County, all of which had heretofore evaded...
Read MoreThe above firm composed of W. H. Johnson and Clarence and C. P. Johnson, have done perhaps as much towards developing the resources of Grant County as any of her citizens. They are all men of sterling character and more than ordinary business ability. They settled in the Big Basin on the John Day River in 1872, and became engaged in stock rising, which they followed until 1883, they then went into the sheep business, and today own in the neighborhood of 15,000, and have about two thousand acres of land on the John Day River. In 1894 they became interested in mining in the Quartsburg district, buying out the Bardwell claims, a group of four. In 1895 they began developing, and have erected a ten-ton Crawford mill. There property has become a very valuable one. They are also interested in the Canyon City Telephone Company, running from Canyon City to Baker City, Bourne, and the Bonanza and Columbia mines, altogether about 110 miles of long distance wire, with metallic circuit, and also city exchanges, Clarence Johnson being president of the company and C. P. Johnson vice...
Read MoreThe establishment of the above gentlemen, dealers in general merchandise, is a credit to Canyon City. Selling their goods at as close it margin its possible, believing in making small profits and having their customers well satisfied, they have an enviable reputation for fair and honest dealing. W. R. Cunnington, the senior member of the firm, has been in business here since 1803, and F. P. Horsley since September last, although both gentlemen were previously engaged in other pursuits In Grant County. At present they are operating two stores, the stone one 26×50, the frame, 22×30, both having fireproof cellars, and with warehouse accommodations this gives them an opportunity to carry sufficient stock to cater to the wants of both the stockmen and miner. Their stock embraces a complete one, comprising as it does dry goods, groceries, clothing, furnishings, boots, shoes, stationery, patent medicines, etc. In waiting on the trade they are assisted by Ben. L. Leland and E. B. Haguewood both widely known in this...
Read MoreThe Humboldt Mining Company, who control our of the largest and best hydraulic properties in this section, was organized in 1881 by Horose Sloan, Ira Sproul, Herbert Hunter, Fred Frey, Harry Heppner and Fred Yorgenson, to work 320 acres lying adjacent to Canyon City. The properly had been worked by the drifting process since 1862, with an average success yearly of nearly a million dollars. The nature of the property is that of an old river channel running with gold. A ditch has been built on it 8½ miles long, with a capacity of 1,000 inches of water. The present owners, who are all men of long experience, have put in two giant, and 2000 feet of hydraulic pipe, also self open reservoirs. Adjacent to this property there lies over two miles of rich creek bottom. The larger portion of which belongs to this Company, of which Ira Sproul is the general...
Read MoreFour miles southeasterly of Granite, on Clear Creek, is located the Red Boy, the property of Messrs. Godfrey & Tabor. It came into their possession about four years ago, and hardly any work was done on it up to that time; In fact, there was only a 180 foot tunnel which cut the property about 75 feet below the apex of the hill. On the other properties the Congo, Gold Monarch and Blaine, there had hardly been enough work done to establish their true value. These are all patentable properties, as well as the Climax, which has been located since. Messrs. Godfrey & Tabor have driven at 500 foot tunnel on the Red Boy proper, and drifting north and south have cross cut 900 feet on the vein. A year and a half ago they started on the lower tunnel that cuts the Climax and Monarch, and are now crosscutting the Red Boy, the length of this tunnel is 1000 feet, and they are still working on it. In this piece of work they haven’t as yet cut the Red Boy vein, but expect to soon. Their mill, which is now being erected, is a twenty stamp, 1000 lb. 8 Johnson concentrators, run with waterpower. They have a covered ditch 2½ miles long, capable of carrying 1000 miner’s inches. They have also erected a boarding house, shops and all...
Read MoreNiven & Ditmars, of Granite, is it large mercantile firm who not only supply the family trade, but also meet the wants of miners and mining companies in the line of lumber, tools, steel, powder and till kinds of mining supplies. Their store, which we show by an accompanying illustration, has a frontage of 44 feet, and a depth of 54, with a fire proof wardroom attached. Their line is a complete one, including drugs, and by courteous and liberal treatment, they have built up a trade that speaks volumes for their personal popularity. They also are engaged in the lumber business, their mill being situated about three miles west of Granite. It has a capacity of fifteen thousand, and as they are putting in a planer they are now prepared to furnish all kinds of dressed lumber. The firm is composed of J. N. Dithers and Neil Riven, both public spirited and energetic citizens, and who have at all times lent their aid in every manner for the advancement of the interests of the town and county. Joseph N. Ditmars, one of the members of the firm, has lived an adventurous life. He was born in Ohio in 1848, but moved at the age of two years with his parents to Missouri, where he resided until 1861. At the breaking out of the Civil War he joined Price’s...
Read MoreAmong the leading business firms of the county, McCallum & Bayley, of John Day, occupy a well deserved position. Established in 1892, they have steadily grown until their reputation is assured not only for the volume of business transacted but for their integrity as well. They cater to both the stockman and miner, and their facilities have enabled them to buy direct from the Eastern manufacturer, the benefit of which is given their customers. They also own and control the John Day Telephone Line, running a distance of thirty-five miles from John Day to Dayville. Mr. F. I. McCallum is a native of California, coming to this county in 1863, and E. J. Bayley is a native of England, coming to the state in 1880, and to the county in 1884. They are both progressive men, and have always given liberally towards any enterprise leading to the advancement of Grant...
Read MoreThe above firm composed of C. W. Brown and F. S. Simpson, although just organized last September has rapidly has rapidly forged to the front. This is largely due no doubt to the fact that both members are very popular, but more so to the liberal treatment they show all patrons. Their line embraces groceries and flour, gent’s furnishings, notions, hats, caps, boots and shoes, in the two latter lines malting a specialty of Buckingham & Hecht’s goods. Both of the members of the firm nice young men of enterprise and good business ability, and we feel safe in stating that they will soon be in the lead in their...
Read MorePeople are always interested in men, especially in successful men. This is the case with “Ike” Guker, the discoverer of the celebrated “Great Northern” mine in Grant County. He is a miner of considerable experience, having gained it in Colorado, Idaho and Oregon. March 28th, 1800, he began in this county, and just six months later he discovered his present property, which bids fair to make him famous. It is a placer property, although he has since located three permanent quartz ledges. His daily returns amount to $220,000 on an...
Read MoreHenry L. Valade, proprietor of the City Hotel of Canyon City, has had a number of years of experience in his chosen calling, namely, with the Norton House, of Ellensburg, Washington, and the Rainier Grand and Arlington hotels of Seattle, since taking charge of his present property he has made a number of desirable improvements, having added a first-class bar, over which is dispensed high grade wines and liquors, making a specialty of case goods. His wife, formerly Mrs, Ella Rau, of this county, has personal charge of the culinary department which is sufficient guarantee of the service rendered their many...
Read MoreThe present efficient and courteous County Clerk is a native Oregonian. He received his education at Monmouth, having moved to Yamhill County, with his parents at an early age. In 1886 he moved to Grant County, locating on the middle folk of the John Day River, near Warm Springs, taking up a homestead and following stock rising. In 1892 he was appointed deputy sheriff, and in 1894 receiving the nomination for County Clerk from the Republican party, of which party he is a life long member, and was elected. As a public official, he proved eminently successful, due to his affability and knowledge of clerical duties. At the expiration of his term he was re-elected. In 1878 he married Miss Bessie Hutchcroft of Yamhill County, and has six...
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