Thursday, July 22, 2010

Oregon Republican League Family History Project RETURNS!!

After some prodding, our moderator agreed to return to the highly popular ORL Family History Project. We look forward to those familial observations and quirks any time! THANK YOU TO EVERYONE THAT MAKES THIS POSSIBLE!!!

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Oregon Republican League: History 104 Biographies

Oregon Republican League: History 104 Biographies

Every week, the Oregon Republican League will post the biographies of important figures, in the League's/State of Oregon's history. Feel free to comment or share stories of your family's Republican affiliation.

An Illustrated History of Umatilla County & Morrow County, by Colonel William Parsons and W. S. Shiach with a brief outline of the early history of the State of Oregon. W. H. Lever, Spokane, WA, (1902), p. 427-428.

BENJAMIN F. RENN. - It is with a hearty good will that we accord to this representative citizen of our county a place in its abiding chronicles, for one who has defended his flag in the time when civil strife sought to rend our fair land in twain, who interposed his own life between his country and ruin, and on many fields of blood demonstrated that his was real patriotism, deserves to be placed high in the roll of honor, far above what our poor tribute could do, though freely it is paid. Of these real veterans we love to dwell upon their deed, facts, not fiction.

His birth occurred on December 15, 1837, on his father’s farm in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, where he spent the years of his minority. The total amount of his schooling was summed up into three months, but industrious habits and an active mind would not be content at this and he followed Franklin’s plan until he became well read and abreast of the times. In the spring of 1859 he went to Bremer county, Iowa, and rented a farm from a man who was heavily attacked with the Pike’s Peak fever. Farming, for one season, he then, in 1861, enlisted in Company G, Ninth Iowa Infantry, Captain William Washburn, Colonel William Vandevere, First Division General Osterhause, Fifteenth Army Corps, General John A. Logan. He was in continuous service for three years and participated in many battles and sieges, besides much skirmishing and scouting, among which were Pea Ridge, Helena, Arkansas, then on to Vicksburg, where the soldiers suffered much from small pox, many dying. Here he helped to build many of the famous works of U.S. Grant. After some time here he was put under Sherman and fought at Chickasaw and Bayous, took part in the expedition up the White river, capturing seven thousand Confederates with all of the munitions, did field service at Port Hudson, was in the front in the struggle at Jackson, Mississippi, then on to Champion Hills, and again at the siege of Vicksburg, where he saw Grant and Pemberton under the old oak tree making terms. After this they again fought before Jackson and captured it, then across the Black river and so ended the first campaign. Suffering an attack on the fever here, he was removed to Memphis to the hospital, but regained his command at Stevenson, Alabama, in the fall of 1863, then hurried into the siege of Atlanta, with heavy fighting for forty days, when the city fell. This being the end of his time he was discharged at East Point, twenty miles south of Atlanta, in the enemy’s country, and was forced, with thirty companions, to fight the way back through Bragg’s lines, who held sway between Atlanta and Nashville. He arrived home safely in October, 1864, having never received a would through all these fierce fights, and having attained to the rank of sergeant. He remained in Pennsylvania for one year recuperating and then turned again to Iowa, engaging in general work until 1866, when on account of his health, he went to California via New York and the Isthmus, landing in San Francisco on July 5, 1866. Later he was able to enter active service and engaged as sawyer in Santa Clara and Mendocino counties for four years and then went to Kansas and later to southern Minnesota, purchasing a farm and remaining for four years. In 1876 he sold out and went to Salem, this state, laboring for wages and purchasing a farm later in Marion county, whence he went to Clark county, Washington territory. In 1866 he sold out there and came to Pendleton, where he has followed the hotel and feed business since, now being the owner and proprietor of a fine two-story pressed brick building at the corner of Court and Cotton streets.

On September 25, 1871, he was married to Miss Theresa Benedict, in Osage Mission, Kansas. They have the following children: Robert S., express agent at Pendleton; Dora, at Colfax; Minnie; Celia; Arthur Garfield; Orien Logan, the last two in school. Mr. Renn is Republican in politics and quite active in the campaigns. He is also a member of Kit Carson Post, 26, G.A.R., of Pendleton, where he held the position of vice commander for one term. He is one of the leading citizens of the city and is respected and esteemed by all, being a real lover of the country for which he did such valiant service.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Have you forgotten?


Smoke from the remains of New York's World Trade Center shrouds lower Manhattan the day after the attacks. [From Reuters]
"HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN?"
Darryl Worley
Lyrics
I hear people saying we don't need this war
But I say there's some things worth fighting for
What about our freedom and this piece of ground
We didn't get to keep 'em by backin down
They say that we don't realize the mess we're gettin in
Before you start your preachin let me ask you this my friend
Have You Forgotten
How it felt that day
To see your homeland under fire and her people blown away
Have you forgotten
When those towers fell, we had neighbors still inside
Going through a living hell
And you say we shouldn't worry about Bin Laden
Have you forgotten
They took all the footage off my TV
Said it's too disturbing for you and me
It'll just breed anger, that’s what the experts say
If it was up to me I'd show it everyday
Some say this country's just out lookin for a fight
But after 9/11 man I'd have to say that’s right
Have You Forgotten
How it felt that day
To see your homeland under fire and her people blown away
Have you forgotten
When those towers fell, we had neighbors still inside
Going through a living hell
And we vowed to get the ones behind bin Laden
Have you forgotten
I've been there with the soldiers
Who've gone away to war
And you can bet that they remember, just what they're fighting for
Have you forgotten
All the people killed
Yeah, some went down like heroes in that Pennsylvania field
Have you forgotten
About our Pentagon
All the loved ones that we lost and those left to carry on
Don't you tell me not to worry about Bin Laden
Have you forgotten
Have you forgotten
Have you forgotten

Friday, July 11, 2008

Oregon Republican League: History 104 Biographies

Oregon Republican League: History 104 Biographies

Every week, the Oregon Republican League will post the biographies of important figures, in the League's/State of Oregon's history. Feel free to comment or share stories of your family's Republican affiliation.

An Illustrated History of Umatilla County & Morrow County, by Colonel William Parsons and W. S. Shiach with a brief outline of the early history of the State of Oregon. W. H. Lever, Spokane, WA, (1902), p. 413-414.

JAMES POWER. - Among the worthy names of pioneers that adorn the pages of this work there must be alotted a space for that of Mr. Power, who was one of the early ones to settle in this part of the county. It was in the year 1880 that the wave of western action began to move him toward the Pacific slope, and being one who is ready to perceive a good thing, he was not long in shaping himself for the trip. Fortune had some good things stowed away in this fertile soil of Umatilla county that she was holding for those who would leave the land of their fathers and follow her leading. Our subject was one of those favored ones and now he can with satisfaction look over a whole section of as fine wheat fields as the sun shines on and rejoice that his strong box holds the deeds of it all. He first took up three hundred and twenty acres under the homestead and pre-emption rights and by good management he soon doubled his holding.

When the steel rails had not spanned the continent it was necessary for the pioneer to resign himself to the “prairie schooner” and laboriously toil toward the setting sun. But after the steam chariot began its courses it was indeed a brave and hardy spirit that would undertake that weary job of crossing the plains by team. But this obstacle was not to stop Mr. Power and he hitched his team night and morning from Missouri, Grundy county, the place of his birth, to Pendleton. With what a sense of rest did he select his claims on what is now the cross road between Stages and Despain Gulches, ten miles northwest from Pendleton. The journey was ended and he had found the spot fortune had selected for him. He was born September 1, 1850, and followed farming for thirty years before trying the west, and twenty years since coming here have made him a man of wide experience in tilling the soil and he is enabled by the best methods to get the very best returns from his land. His parents were James and Dorcas (Morris) Power. In all the local affairs and county politics he has a real personal interest and manifests activity in their adjustment as also in the school matters. The Republican fold is his political place as it manifests forth the principles he deems are the best for the welfare of the nation.Fraternally he is linked with the Red Men and is also a member of the Pioneer of the Pacific.

He was married March 12, 1876, to Miss Elsie Wild, daughter of Philip A. and Mary E. (Sandlin) Wild. Nine children have been born to them: Philip A., Mary E., Albert S., Thomas C., Alma A., William M., Henry F., and two deceased, Rebecca F. and Milliard H. The youth is now the patriarch with his children growing up around him and soon, as the old pioneers of the county are called away one by one, will his name be on the list, but his good works will remain to inspire and lead forward those who shall follow.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Oregon Republican League: History 104 Biographies

Oregon Republican League: History 104 Biographies

Every Wednesday/Thursday, the Oregon Republican League will post the biographies of important figures, in the League's/State of Oregon's history. Feel free to comment or share stories of your family's Republican affiliation.

An Illustrated History of Umatilla County & Morrow County, by Colonel William Parsons and W. S. Shiach with a brief outline of the early history of the State of Oregon. W. H. Lever, Spokane, WA, (1902), p. 410.

ALBERT FRIEDLY. - Albert Friedly, the prosperous and respected young farmer that we now have the pleasure of sketching, has made a name for himself in this his chosen county that is really enviable and is the product of intrinsic worth. He came from the good old state of Ohio, where he was born October 23, 1872. That the “Buckeye” state can furnish first-class farmers as well as presidents is evident to any one that will take the trouble to look over the fields and possessions of our subject.

In his native state he received a good common school education and then began to look the world square in the face, ready for the commencement of life’s responsibilities. The west was where his interest lay and at the early age of seventeen he started to see its various fields. In 1889 he arrived in this county, and being satisfied with its outlook selected land nine miles northwest from Pendleton, on Despain gulch, and bought it. That his youthful judgment was good is evidenced in that he still retains that land as his home place. He owns one hundred and sixty acres, but farms four hundred and eighty acres, raising wheat mostly. He has been enabled through his thrift and good financiering to add to his property good improvements in substantial buildings, etc. In politics he pulls with the “grand old party,” and is ever interested in the matters of school affairs and county government. The people have chosen him for school director for three years and he is still serving in that capacity.

His fraternal associations are with the Maccabees, where he holds a membership.

On February 11, 1895, Mr. Albert Friedly and Miss May, daughter of Alfred and Jane (Arnold) Simpson, were joined in matrimony. They have two children, Earl and Olney.

The parents of our subject, John and Nancy (Freed) Friedly, are still residing in Hardin county, Ohio, where the father is a leading figure in politics, being one of the ablest attorneys in that portion of the state. He was mayor of the city of Ada and has always been identified with the Republican in political matters. But to till the soil was more congenial to the tastes of his son and hence Umatilla county is favored with his presence here among us and the neighborhood has captured one of Ohio’s excellent citizens.

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Oregon Republican League: History 104 Biographies

Oregon Republican League: History 104 Biographies

Every Wednesday/Thursday, the Oregon Republican League will post the biographies of important figures, in the League's/State of Oregon's history. Feel free to comment or share stories of your family's Republican affiliation.

An Illustrated History of Umatilla County & Morrow County, by Colonel William Parsons and W. S. Shiach with a brief outline of the early history of the State of Oregon. W. H. Lever, Spokane, WA, (1902), p. 401-402.

WILLIAM H. GULLIFORD. - This leading and representative citizen of Umatilla county, well known and respected by all, has frequently been honored by his fellows placing him in a position of trust, which he has ever filled with that integrity and ability that are characteristic of his entire career, while his life of brilliant success in business affairs is a bright example of industry and good financiering.

His birth occurred in Lane county, this state, on July 10, 1861, whence he was early removed by his parents, John L. and Julia Gulliford, to this county. He was educated in a private high school in Pendleton, and at the age of eighteen years commenced life’s activities on his own account. His first undertaking was herding sheep, at which he continued for three years, when his savings warranted him in purchasing a small band, which he did and located on a homestead on Butter creek. He then went into partnership with his brother, Arthur, which relation has continued uninterruptedly since. Prosperity has smiled upon them as a reward for their industry and carefulness, for to-day they number their flocks between seven and eight thousand, while their real estate aggregates over five thousand acres.On May 10, 1891, he was married to Miss Myrtle E. Montgomery, a native of Denver, Colorado. To them have been born two children, Lillian C. and William H., the latter deceased. He affiliates with the W. of W., Camp No. 41, of Pendleton. In political affairs he takes an active part, believing it the duty of every citizen to assist in handling the matters of public import. He has frequently been chosen to attend the Republican conventions as well as to the office of school director for a number of terms. He is respected and esteemed by all and is an exemplary representative of this progressive commonwealth.