Wednesday, March 26, 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. 382-383.

JOHN WALKER. - This man, whose life we now have the privilege of epitomizing, has with laudable enterprise, and uprightness and integrity deserving of approbation, so demeaned himself in the arena of the world’s battle, and in his associations with his fellow men, that he justly merits an honorable recognition in the chronicles of Umatilla county. His parents, John and Jane (Stevenson) Walker, natives of Scotland’s rugged hills, early removed to Canada, where our subject was born on May, 1858, and where he received the training granted in the common schools, and where also he passed the first eighteen years of his existence. At that time the reports from this garden spot attracted him and he came hither in quest of a home. He first took a pre-emption in Morrow county, but afterward sold that and purchased three hundred and twnty acres where he now lives, seven and a half miles northwest from Athena. Upon this place he has put forth energy, guided by wise judgment, that has brought his farm to a high sate of cultivation, and given him the just reward of a comfortable and tasty home and an elegant estate. He has displayed good taste and wisdom in all is improvements, both in quality and arrangement, that add greatly to the value of his holdings.

On January 1, 1890, he began the new year nobly by taking to himself a wife, Miss Jennie Stevenson, the daughter of J. and Margaret (Cornwell) Stevenson. To enhance their connubial bliss there have been born to them four children, John C., Jennie M., Margaret R., Elsie E. Mr. Walker has always taken that active part in politics that becomes the worthy citizen, allying himself with the Republican party, as the one that more nearly lays down the principles he believes are for the welfare of the people generally. School matters and local affairs are a part of his interest and are as carefully attended to as are his own business enterprises. In fraternal affiliations he is associated with the Woodmen of the World, where his popularity is commensurate with the excellent position he holds in the estimation and respect of his friends and acquaintances.

Wednesday, March 19, 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. 379-380.

JOHN RUSH.- As a defender of the flag in the time of war, an intrepid pioneer during the days of explorations, a loving husband and estimable citizen, the man whose name heads this paragraph has left a record untarnished and commendable, of which those who succeed him may be justly proud. The spirit in the “Green Mountain” boys that led them to accomplish deeds of valor in the days of the Revolution, is the same that inspired this one of their descendants to equally as brilliant efforts in defense of the Union, which they established.

Born in Vermont, to Benjamin and Mary (LaBelle) Rush, on March 25, 1841, he passed the first years of his life there also, gaining the education possible in the limited time. When but fourteen years of age, in 1855, he traveled across the continent to engage in the mining fields of California. Considering the modes of travel then in vogue, and his tender years, together with the lawless state of affairs in the western regions at that time, this is sufficient to demonstrate the sterling qualities in the lad, which so brightly materialized during subsequent years. When the call came for men to fight for the honor of their flag, young Rush was ready to respond, and enlisted in Company B, First Battalion, Nevada Cavalry, under Captain Joseph H. Mathewson. June 21, 1863, was the date of his enlistment, and for three continuous years he did faithful military service for his country, when he was mustered out at Camp Douglas, Utah. From here he went to Kansas and remained there until 1872, at which date he came to this county and took up a homestead and purchased one hundred and sixty acres more from the railroad, ten miles northwest from where Athena now is. Here he engaged in the cultivation of his farm until the time of his death, which sad event occurred October 5, 1895.
The record of his life shows Mr. Rush to have been a man of great energy, of fearless courage, directed by an excellent and wise judgment, and possessed of a tender heart that always accompanies a really brave spirit. The time of his demise was a day of sadness for all who knew him, but his meed is that he left the heritage of a brilliant career and untarnished life for the edification and encouragement of those who follow after.

His political life was marked with activity and uprightness, being a prominent figure in the convention , but never seeking for himself political preferment. He held with the Republican party and was a member of the G. A. R. In 1868 he was married to Miss Martha Ann Seratt, daughter of John and Nancy (Lane) Seratt. She with six children survives him. The children are as follows: Anna, Harriet, Dorothy, Alberta, Edwin, Ida M. Mrs. Rush still lives on the old home place, which she is carrying on in a commendable manner, demonstrating that she is capable of wise husbandry in addition to her other many accomplishments. On August 15, 1901, death again made inroad into the household, this time carrying off Miss Dorothy, who peacefully passed the river and now sleeps in that great bivouac of the dead.

Friday, March 14, 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. 378-379.

T. DICKERSON. [Editor inserted: Terisha Dickerson] - The esteemed citizen and early pioneer whose name is mentioned above has wrought is this county for nearly one half of a century, being one of its earliest settlers and has always maintained an unsullied reputation for integrity and uprightness, while his industry and wise judgment have placed him in the front ranks of the leading men of the county.


He was born on January 5, 1828, in Tennessee, where he received a good education and grew to manhood. In 1849 he removed to Iowa and engaged in blacksmithing for ten years. Following this he crossed the plains with ox teams and settled in Washington territory, remaining there for about one year, when he came to Umatilla county in 1860, and soon embarked in the stock business and agriculture, which he has uninterruptedly followed since, reaping that success that invariably comes to wisely and continuously directed effort, although he has been beset with many adverse and trying circumstances. In the winter of 1860 and 1861 his whole bank of stock, except some few stragglers was killed by the severe weather. He took a homestead near Hudson bay and still retains it, having added more by purchase.


He was married on January 17, 1856, to Miss Clarissa Beamis, and to them were born ten children: Malissa, wife of Henry C. Derrick, of this county; Annie, wife of Charles Sanders; Frank, married and living near Hudson bay; Almira, wife of Charles Russell; Charles, married; Adda, wife of L. Conrad, all living in this county. The others are deceased. On May 14, 1895, Mrs. Dickerson passed away to her reward in another world, and her remains are buried near their home. Mr. Dickerson has always taken an active part in political matters, being a leading figure in his party, the Republican. He affiliates with the Christian church, being an ardent worker in the cause of is faith. On January 17, 1900, he was married to Mrs. K. P. Savage, widow of J. H. Savage, who has six children. Of late years, Mr. Dickerson has retired from the active life of former years and is enjoying the golden years of his career in a pleasant home in Milton, where he receives the respect and esteem of his entire acquaintanceship, which he so justly merits.

Wednesday, March 05, 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. 374-375.

HORACE WALKER. - This well known citizen, whose life we have the pleasure to epitomize for the chronicles of Umatilla county, is a man who has fully merited the esteem and confidence of his fellow citizens that from time to time they have taken pleasure in exhibiting by their franchises. Though but thirty-five years of age he has won a political standing by his faithfulness of trust bestowed, wisdom in handling public questions, and fearlessness in championing the cause of his constituency, that bid fair, in no far distant day, to place him among the leaders of his party in his state. He is a stanch Republican, because he is confident the principles of that party are those best for the welfare of the people at large.


Mr. Walker is a native of Ontario, Canada, being born May 14, 1864, and remaining there until 1877 when he came to this county. His residence here has been continuous since that date and his life has been practically formed in this western realm. He owns, with his brother, four hundred and eighty acres of land which they farm to wheat.

The marriage of Mr. Walker and Miss Agnes Jane, daughter of William and Mary (Thompson) Still, occurred on April 27, 1892, and the following children have been born to them, Horace Raymond, Edna Bernice, Grant. In fraternal circles the popularity of our subject is fully sustained, being a member of the Masonic, K. of P., and A. O. U. W. lodges, in which he takes a commendable pride. He has attended many of the county conventions and some of the state, as a delegate. At the last election he was selected for one of the county commissioners, in discharging the duties of which office he has made a very acceptable record, demonstrating to the voters of the county his ability, and opening the door for greater triumphs, which his acumen and probity are sure to accomplish.