Oregon Republican League: History 104 Biographies

Every Wednesday, 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 Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties, (1902), by Western Historical Publishing Co. of Chicago, page 461

GEORGE W. PORTER

Mr. Porter was born in Dixmount, Maine in 1832, and when but three years of age his mother died and he spent his childhood and youth in the home of relatives. When he arrived at the age of twenty his attention and time were turned to teaching school, and for a series of years he was numbered with the active and progressive educators of his native place. Following this he learned the wagonmaker's trade and wrought at it for ten years, then turned to farming for a time, and in 1870 he migrated to this section of the west. For a period he was occupied in farming near to John Day and then took a homestead in Malheur, but subsquently he bought the place where he now lives two miles west from John Day. Here he owns and cultivates three hundred and twenty acres of land is counted one of the leading stockmen and agriculturists of the county. His place is well improved and an air of neatness and thrift characterize everything about his premises, and he has added many things that make rural life attractive and comfortable, while his care and ability as a farmer are manifested in every department. Mr. Porter also owns the ranch that he secured in Malheur and considerable other property, being a substantial representative of the property interests of his region. His herds are extensive and his skill in handling them gives him the best of returns from his investments.

The marriage of Mr. Porter and Miss Caroline Prentice was celebrated in Maine in the year 1856. To them have been born four children: Francis, Edith, Lesley and Mary, all of whom are married. In fraternal affiliations Mr. Porter is identified with the Masons, Archon Lodge, in Dixmount, Maine. In politics he is a stanch Republican and has always been an upholder of their platform. He has a goodly prominence in local affairs, having served as justice of the peace for two terms in succession, and is always wide awake in matters that pertain to the welfare of the state and education.
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An Illustrated History of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties, (1902), by Western Historical Publishing Co. of Chicago, page 462

ZACHARIAH J. MARTIN

Mr. Martin was born in April, 1869, in the Golden State, being the son of P. C. and Phoebe (Davis) Martin, natives respectively of Indiana and Missouri, the father having crossed the plains in 1854, and the mother in the previous year, bothing having had the experience of riding the entire distance behind ox teams. Their marriage occured in March 1862, and in 1869 they came to Oregon. Zachariah J. received his education in this state and at the age of nineteen years began teaching school in Gilliam and Grant counties and continued in that capacity with undistrurbed and excellent success for ten years. From 1890 to 1897 he was justice of the peace in the Haystack precinct and his decisions and administration of the law were marked with ability and integrity. In 1898 the people of Grant county called him to act as county treasurer, he having run on the Republican ticket. In this capacity he is acting at the present time, and it is with credit to himself and advantage to his constituency. In fraternal affiliations he is associated with the W. of W., Lodge No. 222, Canyon City. Mr. Martin is universally beloved and esteemed, being possessed of those qualities that are the admiration of all and displaying geniality, ability and integrity always.

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An Illustrated History of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties, (1902), by Western Historical Publishing Co. of Chicago. page 463

JAMES SMALL

In 1824 he was born in England, and at the tender age of ten shipped for a seafaring life, knowing the hardships of the craft from cabin boy to the top. In 1844 he landed in Baltimore, and from there made his way to Washington, D. C. and being of an adaptive turn of mind, found that market gardening was a paying business and immediately embarked therein. Four years later he shipped on the "W. P. Sable" for an exploration trip in the southern Pacific ocean. On November 14, 1849, in the midst of the unparalleled excitement of that memorable year, he landed in San Francisco, and for eight year she searched for the hidden treasure with diligence and much labor and hardship. In 1857 he commenced to ranch in Shasta county and this occupied his attention until 1862, the date of his advent into Canyon City, which ten consisted of a few houses and two stores, was the spring of 1863, and here he immediately took up mining and followed it closely for two years. Then it was his happy lot to take a pleasure trip to the east for one year, after which he again came to Canyon City and commenced the raising of sheep, which he has followed ever since, being attended with a very gratifying success. He was the first one that raised sheep in Grant county, and to-day he is one of the leaders, having one section of land and many of these profitable animals, besides a number of horses. In political matters he is a prominent figure in the county, pulling ever with the Republican party, where his wisdom and keen foresight are particularly useful and acceptable to the good of his party. Fraternally he is a member of the Masons and the I.O.O.F., having passed all the chairs of these institutions. The charms of the celibate's quiet life of comfort and good cheer are his, having never been lured therefrom to try martrimony's sea of uncertainty and career of cares and responsibilities.