Supplementary to the Corena Landess Story
By Donald Guenther, Edward Guenther and Gordon Day.
Introduction
A short time ago, Stephenie Flora contacted me and asked if I had any interest in working with Gordon Day, a relative of Peter Scholl, on the 1847 wagon train that came out of Pittsfield, Illinois. My brother Ed and I jumped at the chance. Our GG grandfather John Landess and GGG Grandparents Abraham Landess and Elizabeth Conkright were part of the train. Abraham Landess was born in North Carolina and moved with his parents to Kentucky. Abraham in turn moved to Illinois with his own family and the grandparents. In 1846 when Abraham’s four sons decided to migrate to Oregon, Abraham at 58 years of age, and his wife (as grandparents) knew they would take part making it the final phase of their own migrations. The train included Gordon Day’s GGG grandfather, the widowed Thomas Cowhick, 74 years of age.
The train of 71 people and 25 wagons traveled the distance in a record setting 5 months and 2 weeks. The train had no captain. There are many interesting things about these fearless pioneers. They were independent and would become part of the bedrock for the Oregon development. They began as friends, neighbors and church affiliates and after the trip remained friends, neighbors and members of the same church movement. They viewed themselves not simply as opportunists for free land, but missionaries’ spreading their faith and taming the west. Abraham, being illiterate, and Thomas Cowhick left no diaries or trip accounts. To them the trip was just part of life. Fortunately, some of their friends left trip accounts.
What follows is the result of our research into the train. We’re grateful to Nancy Prevost who provided us with helpful information and direction.
Pre-trip Planning
The Pittsfield, Illinois wagon train of 1847 set out on April 5 with members from Adams County, Illinois and a couple more families added in Nebraska. Members of the wagon train were frontiersmen, veterans of the Black Hawk War. These men could fight. They were frontier families, the women were frontier women, understanding the difficulties they would face on the Oregon Trail; well equipped to deal with adversity. Having traveled from eastern states they had wagon train travel experience. They had guides, rough maps and advice on oxen, wagons, food and dress. Hardened to the cold climate they knew to pack plenty of blankets and tents. They also knew how to take care of their animals, their lives depended on the animals.
They brought adult cattle and milk cows. Most of their wagons had three teams of oxen although some had two teams. They knew mules or horses would not hold up pulling wagons over the Rockies.
Packing for a 5 to 6 month’s journey, they brought plenty of food. They’d hunt along the way to supplement food supply. The group never experienced hunger. They likely packed lots of vitamin C rich pickles. Fish were purchased from Indians on the trail. Game provided protein.
Abraham Landess and his grown son Abraham Jr. were wagon makers. They brought their repair tools and spare parts. Many but not all the wagons completed the trip to the Dalles. Most wagons on the Oregon Trail were NOT Conestoga wagons; these were slow, heavy freight wagons. Since the train moved fast the wagon train most likely consisted of converted farm wagons, called Prairie Schooners, which were pulled generally not by oxen. In fact, oxen were led, there were no reins. Plus, the Prairie Schooner often had no seat and the pioneers generally walked along the Trail. The ride was too bumpy!
There were no accidental deaths in the Pittsfield train, attributing to the fact that these were experienced wagoneers.
They traveled most of the way in a group of about 25 wagons, which is optimal for protection and grazing cattle. The smaller group was able to travel faster with a quicker set up and breaking of camp. Their water was cleaner from less disturbance and fewer people. Grazing was easier to obtain being the leading group of wagons.
These families were not dependent on store bought clothes and frivolities. They knew how to make do. Living on the frontier meant dressing in “work clothes”. Their work clothes were up to the harsh sagebrush on the trail. Pioneer men wore rugged, durable clothing, constructed from brown, black or gray linen, wool or canvas-like fabric. The trousers fastened with buttons because zippers weren’t widely available until the early 20th century. Many pioneer’s shoes would wear out.
On the trail when a young woman set her bonnet for a young man, that meant she was interested in him. The train members speak of trail courtship. Since when did courtship wait until the end of any trail?
Reason to Taking the Trip
Abraham Landess had 5 grown sons and he wanted a future for them. Four of the sons went west with him, his fifth son Henry would follow.
Waller needed a change of climate to keep him from dying of TB. “Soon, he is told that he must die of consumption. He is no longer able to work much. He had always been a slender, puny lad physically, but now all thought the end had come. Some advised him to go to Texas, others to join the emigration to Oregon. This he did. An ox team and wagon are soon secured, and a bed fixed in the wagon for the sick boy.”[1]
A young Hiram Johnson said: “I confess that I did not think so much about that matter (saving this country for the United States) as I did to bettering my condition in the way of health and to secure a slice of 640 acres of Uncle Sam’s domain for myself and for the future Johnson family, which I must say they did not hang onto very long when they found it took hard work to cultivate and to make a living on the same.” [2]
For some in the wagon train the trip was providence: “William C. Brown had not expected to come to Oregon in 1847, in fact had thought little about it, but early that year he had from Ohio to Missouri to investigate some land in Missouri that he heard could be purchased cheaply. One night when the steam-boat on which he was traveling stopped at a small town named Oregon, Missouri, he went to a store to purchase some tobacco; he heard the shop-keeper talking with a man named Thompson; the store-keeper asked Thompson when he expected to start for Oregon. Thompson replied he would start as soon as he could find a man to drive one of his ox teams. Brown volunteered for the job, and was hired on the spot, and soon was on his way to the West.”[3]
Stewarts: “They came for the same reason that most of the immigrants came from that section of the country – the stories of the wonderful opportunities present in the West.”[20]
Pike County Group left Pittsfield, Illinois, April 5th
Hiram Johnson: “We left Pittsfield, Ill., April 5, 1847, with three yoke of oxen and wagons in company with about twenty other wagons. I drove that team every day myself.” [2]
Waller: ”Among those who set sail in the “Ship of the Desert” were the following families: Father Landess, Felix Landess, Abram Landess, — Scholl, Sam Whitely, H.A. Johnson, Nathan Richardson, H.M. Waller and G.T. Waller. There was also a bachelor wagon with John Richie, James Richie, Thomas Humphrey and Frank Barrow.”[1]
The men in the bachelor wagon had jobs such as wagon drivers, cow hands, hunters, protection and cooks.
Waller: “To one whose love of home is great and who loves the association of early life, it is no easy task to fold up tent and ride away to a wild and distant land. But now comes ‘goodbye’ to old friends, and while ‘tears do unbidden start,’ the oxen, with their slow tread, begin their long, weary journey.”[1]
Hannibal, Illinois, April 7th
Many of the Illinois train members listed Apr 7th as their start date. This date would have been the date where the Pike county group merged with the Adams County group and crossed the Illinois River. The members from each of the groups were related and knew one another through church affiliations. Landess families were from Adams County and the Scholls were from Pike County.
“Another large party of Christians, traveling in 23 wagons, originated in Pittsfield, Illinois. One record confirmed, ‘Nearly all in this train were members of the Church of Christ.’ Twenty five among the family names connected to this train were: Waller, Landess, Scholl, Whitley, Johnson, Richardson, Ritchey, Humphrey, and Barrows.”[3]
Crossing The Missouri River from St. Joseph, May 1st
“They (Felix Landess and wife) made the journey across the plains with ox teams in 1847, traveling after the primitive manner of the times in a train composed of twenty-five wagons. The parents of Mr. Landess were also of the party and they completed the trip in five months, this being considered a very speedy trip for those days. The roads were often in very poor condition, streams had to be forded and at night the party camped out along the wayside, building fires and preparing their food. It was often difficult to secure a good place to pasture the stock and to obtain fresh water. Yet without serious mishap the party continued on their way”. [5][6]
*The number of wagons is an estimate. Accounts vary from 17 to 25 wagons. Also not all the wagons made it through the entire journey in the train. Craftsmen such as wagon maker Abraham Landess Jr. would require an additional wagon for his tools.
Hiram Johnson: “We crossed the Missouri River May 1st and from then on there was neither bridge nor ferry until we reached our destination in Marion county, Oregon, but the waters were high and very swift. We would swim our stock and sometimes make a raft of flood-wood or cork our wagon beds and pull them back and forth with with ropes, thus taking our families and plunder safely across those rapid streams. When we left civilization we were told we must have a captain and stand guard and corral our stock and all that kind of humbug, but we soon got tired of all this foolishness and when night came we turned our stock loose and all hands turned in and slept as safely and contentedly as we did at our former homes. We had no trouble with Indians. We treated them kindly and they let us alone.”[2]
Hiram Johnson describes the birth of his son William as follows: ”I recall to mind a little incident that took place on the South Plate. May 20th, while we were stopping for dinner and giving our teams a rest a little chap came to our wagon and insisted on coming to Oregon with us, he giving us no trouble than is usual in such cases (in fact, not so much as he has in later years). We brought him through with us and he grew up with the country and the last I saw of him he weighed 250 pounds. [2]
The Wagon Train crossed the Big Blue River on May 9th
“Sunday May 9 travelled 6 miles, crossed the east Branch of the Blue Earth River and encamped on its western Bank…joined today by 17 wagons from Illinois.” [16]
Waller: “They pass through Missouri and over the river into Nebraska. Here two other families join them. Nearly all in this train are members of the Church of Christ.”[1]
The two families are believed to be the Stewarts and Thompsons with William Brown as the Thompson’s driver.
Waller: ” When they passed a United States fort, the soldiers inform them that the Mormons are on the war path, and they had better wait for another band, and unite with a train immediately succeeding them, whose leader gives it the cognomen of ‘Kerl’s train’. They are now combined, and travel and camp with military precision for about ten or twelve days. With the great herd of cattle they now have in the combination, they find it difficult to secure sufficient grass for all in any one place. So they separate again; the Waller train taking the lead, as before.”[2]
William Brown may have done some courting when the trains had merged as Townsends were not a part of the Pittsfield group.
“William C. Brown came to Oregon in 1847. His future wife, then Martha J. Townsend, was in the same train. They did not meet until the emigrant train was enroute. Their courting was done on the trip to Oregon, principally on the wagon tongue as they were driving a yoke of oxen.”[8]
William Brown, Thompson’s driver: “William C. Brown was 23 years of age, was tall and raw-boned, and strong as an ox. He was quite a foot racer and at one time while on the trip to Oregon, the band of horses stampeded, and Brown started in pursuit, on foot. He raced the horses for five miles and rounded them up.” [3]
A benefit about being in the lead was the dust wasn’t so bad. Later trains complained about the dust and had to wash their tents and wagon canvasses often. More work, slowing the train down. Where possible the wagons traveled, not in a line, but abreast of each other to keep from eating dust from wagons in front of them. Sometimes the trail was a hundred yards wide.
Fort Laramie June 4th
Hiram Johnson: “We made it a point to keep in the lead of the immigration, thus always sure of good grass, water, etc.” [2]
Hiram Johnson: “We had made it a point to never camp twice at the same place except at the crossing of a line. By this means and by using energy we kept in the lead.”[2]
Waller: “When they arrive at Fort Laramie, the soldiers warn them of danger, both from Mormons and Indians. The soldiers inquire if they had any parties with them from Nauvoo. They replied there were two such with them. ‘Then’, say the soldiers, ‘they will either kill them or you all if you attempt to pass that way in such a small body.’”[1]
Crossing the North Platte River, June 16
They drive on, however, and soon cross the North Platte. The group displays no fear. Indians and Mormons leave them alone. Seasoned fighters in the group paid off; and they were armed. The word may have gotten around. You can be sure rifles were in sight.
“ June 12th engaged in ferreing 2 of the small bands of the Oregon emegrants for 25 waggons in all for which they received a bout 33 dollars in remuneration” [17]
June 13th, Diann Decker Landess gave birth to daughter Nancy 13 June 1847 in the Utah territory. [10]
Hiram Johnson sets the date of crossing as June 16th.
Green River July 4th
Reported from an adjacent train to theirs on July 1st: “Doctor Smith was seized with his last illness. By the time they reached Green River they left his mound of up-turned earth to mark their pathway, and the bereaved family went the remainder of the journey.” [9]
Hiram Johnson: “On the Green River one of my oxen got poisoned and we of course had to leave him, but a little matter like this did but stop us long for in the morning I yoked up one of my cows in his place and came ahead. So old White-faced not only helped to pull the load but she gave milk for the babies and we had a fine time”[2]
Hiram speaks lovingly about his animals. They were a part of the family. He regretted having to leave one behind.
Crossing rivers in the spring was dangerous. Hiram Johnson speaks of tying ropes to the rafted wagons.
Two years earlier Abner Hackleman made this comment at about 1,000 miles into their trip; “Our wagons are now undergoing repairs, having become shrunk almost beyond your conception by protracted and excessive heat from the sun and sand.”
Abraham Landess Sr. and Jr. were wagon makers. Their skills came in very handy in keeping the wagons functional. Typically wagon trains would stop for several days to make wagon repairs. Hiram Johnson notes that they made no such stops.
Fort Hall August 1st
They arrived at Fort Hall on August 1st. Supplies could be had there.
Just past Fort Hall the California trail splits off. The wagon train did not split as all the members were intent on going to the rich soil and mild climate with lots of rain Oregon. In the 1849 gold rush many of the men from the wagon train went to California to work the mines or related industries. Nathan English died there and most returned having made good money.
Benjamin Stewart’s wife gave birth to Orville in Aug. 1847 near present Pendleton on the Trail.
Stewarts split from the group.
Stewarts:”They arrived in Camp Whitman in Walla Walla, early in the winter preceding the Whitman Massacre, and intended to stay there for the purpose of resting their horses and children, but decided to leave on account of the unfriendliness demonstrated by the Indians, after staying only a few weeks. The Whitman Massacre occurred a few months following their departure.”[20]
The Dalles September 1st
The train arrived at the Dalles on September 4th. From here they split into two groups, one group rafting the Columbia, and the other larger group taking the newly established Barlow Trail. The Barlow Trail was a big improvement from having to take cattle over Lola Pass, a very steep and crooked mountain pass. Those with cattle took the Barlow Road, this including the Landess families and Hiram Johnson.
Hiram Johnson: ”I had not money when I started to this country, did not need any, had no ferriage or tolls to pay (Oh, yes my wife did give up one of her fine quilts to pay toll at the Barlow gate.”[2]
By noting he had no money implies the wagons were well provisioned and didn’t need much replenishing on the trip.
Hiram Johnson: “We arrived at the Dalles about the first of September. We then came through the Cascades by the Barlow road. This road was a little rough for sometimes down those steep hills we had to cut down small trees and chain them to the hind end of our wagons to keep them from ending over onto the oxen, but not hurt anything. We got through all right, arriving at Oregon City September 10th.“
Oregon City, September 10th
The Barlow Road group arrived in Oregon City on September 10th. This was considered the End of the Trail and it was here they acquired land claims. Now it was time to erect a shelter, and you can be sure they were small and rough, made of logs.
Hiram Johnson; “Then again we hear so many tell of the great hardships and privations they underwent in crossing the plains and their first settlement in this country. As far as I’m concerned we had a nice time and pleasant trip.” [2]
Those in the wagon train that rafted down the Columbia River took longer to get to Oregon City as they had to wait for rafts to be made.
The Stewarts stayed a short time at Whitman’s mission and left before the trouble with the Indians occured.
Trip Summary:
Hiram Johnasn: “Dear Sir: According to your request, I will send you a few lines to let you know that I am still alive and well and in the afar off sundown diggings of Oregon; we left the settlements of Missouri the first day of May and arrived at Fort Laramie June 4th; crossed the North Platte June 16; crossed the summit of the Rocky Mountains June 25; crossed Green River July 1; passed the Soda Springs July 8; arrived at Fort Hall July 12; crossed Snake River Aug. 10; all those streams we ferried in our wagon beds, (except Platte we crossed on a raft), we crossed the Blue Mountains about Aug. 12; arrived at the Falls of the Columbia Aug. 27. We then had 100 miles of very bad road over the Cascade Mountains and after a long and tedious journey we arrived in the Willamette valley September 10, glad once more to find ourselves in a land of civilization.” [18]
The group traveled 2,180 miles in 158 days. Considered to be the fasted time to that date. Crossing rivers was time consuming. The group crossed 6 major rivers. Allowing 3 days for each river crossing the time spent traveling was 140 days. The average rate per day was 16 miles. For a group with no captain decisions had to have been made quickly. It was a small group of like minded people.
“Nathaniel Richardson departed from the vicinity of Quincy in Adams Co., IL, with two wagons known as ‘schooners’ containing household goods, supplies for the journey, and farm implements, and a light wagon known as a ‘Democrat’ for the women and children to ride in.
“They also had 16 head of horses, a herd of cows, and work oxen. By the end of the journey when they arrived at the Peter Hatch farm outside of Oregon City on 14 Sept., they were down to one wagon, one horse and one cow, the latter paired as a team to pull the wagon.” [15]
Virginia Meek’s brother in-law Robert Newell:
“It was Robert Newell who taught the women to make light bread and cautioned his wife and her sisters’ ”Be neat, lots of white women will soon come to settle.” Virginia related to her daughter in law in later years “We did. We kept our houses clean and our children, and sure enough the next summer they began to come, sometimes two or three wagons a day. They were the poorest, dirtiest, most ragged people you ever saw. Of course, we knew they couldn’t help it, traveling like that, but we wanted to laugh at Newell, and asked him if this was his nice white women.”[21]
Being one of the first wagon trains helped them keep from eating others dust. But after the Barlow road they most likely weren’t in very good shape.
Comments
1. Possible reasons for why the Indians left this group alone.
-The Indians recognized this group consisted of seasoned frontiersmen experienced in fighting Indians. They were armed and dressed in western clothing. Many of the men had fought in the Black Hawk War and in The War of 1812.
-Being the first wagon train they may have gotten through prior to the Indians being
ready or aware of the wagon trains coming.
-Just prior to their arrival at The Dalles their had been an altercation and an Indian chief had been killed. The Indians may have been in morning thus leaving the train alone.
-This train was experienced and knew how to get along with the Indians and not provoke
trouble.
-This group were mostly Christians and God was protecting them.
-They were well provisioned and didn’t trade with the Indians or need to purchase goods.
-Having been well provisioned they didn’t compete much for game.
-They moved quickly and kept the Indians off guard.
-They rarely stayed in one spot for two nights.
2. Hiram’s mention of crossing the line may be referring to God. Traveling on Sunday would
have been crossing God’s line.
3. The section of the trail around Fort Hall is difficult and the trail narrow with lots of switchbacks. Wagons breaking down slowed progress. These elements explain for the slow progress made.
Closing
The women of these times were noted for their stoicism. The accounts are mostly written by men and may downplay the reality of the harsh conditions endured during the the trip.
All the old log homes are all gone. Untreated logs rot in about 30 years. Some settlers children sold off the land as a single family could only farm about 80 acres at the time. Some children expanded their inherited land into large ranches. Some children moved onto other endeavors. Oregon was born.
Hiram Johnson: “Before I close I would say to all my friends in Pike County, I am well pleased with Oregon, and if I was back again in Illinois, and knew as much about the journey and the country as I now know, I would be sure to come if I could. I do not wish to persuade any one to come, but if any do come I think they will never regret it. I would say to all that do start for Oregon, to start early in the spring, and come ahead as fast as you can; never camp two nights in the same place if possible; you will get through by the first of September. [18]
These families remained friends throughout their lives.
Peter Scholl: “The girls and William are still at home. Father COWHICK was married a few days before I left home to a respectable lady, about fifty-five years old. Mr. Landess farm lies joining mine. Abram and Felix live close by. They were all well.” [19]
The little girl born September 14th, Cornelia Richardson, never knew this was a train of independents with no need for a leader.
Sources:
[1] REMINISCENCES OF H.M. WALLER
[2] Weekly Statesman Journal, June 7, 1895, Pioneer Life on the Plains
[3] Rushford, Jerry; Christians on the Oregon Trail: Churches of Christ and Christian Churches in Early Oregon, 1842-1882, page 84
[4] Portrait and Biographical Record of the Willamette Valley, Oregon Part 1 pages 644-645, Chapman Pub, Co. 1903.
[5] Gaston, Felix Landess bio, 1911.
[6] Oregon Pioneers of 1847, Web site maintained by Stephenie Flora.
[7] The Oregon Daily Statesman, Feb. 5, 1896.
[8] Brown, William, ‘Find a Grave’
[9] Portrait and Biographical Record of the Willamette Valley, Oregon, page 423 Chapman Pub, Co. 1903.
[10] Cambell, Nancy Landess, ‘Find a Grave’
[11]Mcmartin, Maria Barbara, Iowa state u., 1977, Dress of the Oregon Trail Emigrants: 1843 to 1855, bing,com images.
[12] Ahmed, Diana L. “I FEAR THE CONSEQUENCES TO OUR ANIMALS” EMIGRANTS AND THEIR LIVESTOCK ON THE OVERLAND TRAILS, page 167, 2012
[13] Oregon Historic Trails Report, Oregon Trails Coordinating Council, Copyright 1998, Compiled by Karen Bassett, Jim Renner, and Joyce White, page 27
[14] Thomas Hovenden Breaking Home Ties, 1890, Philadelphia Museum
[15] Cornelia Lucretia Richardson Myers Gregory on her death, printed in “The Meridian Times” of Meridian, Ada County, Idaho on 9 Mar. 1928.
[16] Diary of C W. COOKE
[17] Appleton M. Harmon diary, 1847 April-July
[18] Thursday, August 24, 1848 – Page 1, Oregon Letter — Champoeg County, Oregon Territory, March 8
[19] Letter from Peter Scholl to the Rev. J Eldridge, Pittsfield, Illinois, while he was in SF for yeat making money of the gold rush. San Francisco, April 29th, 1849
[20] The Story of Wayne Casey Stewart-’A Place Called Oregon” web site.
[21] Genealogical Forum of Oregon, The Bulletin September 2013 Volume 63 No. 1, The Mountain Flowers Judy Gates Goldmann
[22] ABNER HACKLEMAN’S 1845 TRIP TO OREGON by by Glenn Harrison page 13.
Appendix 1. Complete list of the Pittsfield group
1847 Pittsfield Illinois Wagon Train 16 Members
16) BARROWS, Joseph Franklin (1822-1886): m1. STEVENSON, Margaret; m2. 1850 LIGHTNER, Diana; First wife must have died before the emigration as he rode in the bachelor wagon.
16) BROWN, William C. (1824-1909): m’d 1848 TOWNSEND, Martha (1826-1899)
16) BUSHNELL, Anna Hulbert (1808-1858): m’d1829 RICHARDSON, Nathaniel Carpenter; d/o John and Hannah (Tryon) Bushnell, born 17 Aug 1808 Addison Co, VT and died 03 Jan 1858 Hillsboro, Washington Co, OR; buried Lewis Cemetery, Hillsboro, Washington Co, OR; mother of 7 children ( Mary Elizabeth, John A., George Washington, Frances M., Lois Ann, Cornelia Lucretia and Peter H.)
16) CONKWRIGHT, Elizabeth “Betsy” (1793-1876); m’d 1811 LANDESS, Abraham Sr. d/o Isaac Conkwright and Dorthy Kook.
16) COWHICK, Elizabeth (1808-1872): m’d 1828 SCHOLL, Peter; d/o Thomas and Lucy (Adamson) Cowhick
16) COWHICK, Thomas Andrew (1774-1866): m1. 25 Dec 1803 ADAMSON, Lucy (1776-1841); m2. 09 Feb 1849 PUGH, Mrs. Mary; s/o Patrick and Catherine (Lawson) Cowhick; second wife seems likely to have been Mary (Donovan) Pugh (1791-1872) who came in 1846; settled in Washington County; father of seven children (Elisha Adamson, Mary A., Elizabeth, Anna M., Katherine, Osa and John. Only Elizabeth emigrated to Oregon]
16) CRUMBACKER, Ann (1818-1901): m’d 1837 STEWART, Benjamin
16) DECKER, Diana (1824-1882): m’d 1843 LANDESS, Abraham Jr.
16) DORLAND, Mary (1812-1889): m’d ROBINSON, nathaniel
16) ENGLISH, Nathan (1816-1848) single, killed by Indians in California panning for gold.
16) FISCUS, Elizabeth (1807-1852): m’d 1832 THOMPSON, Isaac (1805-1871)
16) HUMPHREYS, Thomas Dabney (1822-1898): m’d 1849 TAYLOR, Elizabeth Ann
“HUMPHREYS, THOMAS DABNEY–Born in Indiana in 1822; spent his early life in the Mississippi States, and taught school on reaching sufficient age. Left St. Jo., Missouri, May 5, 1847, for Oregon, and arrived at Oregon City on September 15th of that year. Mined on Feather River, California, in the early days, but returned in less than a year, settled on a donation claim in Washington County, and engaged in farming. His first location, made in 1847, was on the Tualatin, nine miles from Hillsboro, but about 1868 he removed to that town, and has lived there since. Was probate judge in old times, and since has been United States assessor, county clerk, and county judge, and now (1885) acts in the latter capacity. Married in 1849 to Miss Elizabeth A. Taylor, and their children, eight in number, were all born in Oregon. Their names are S. H., Mrs. J. D. Morgan, Mrs. Bruce Wolverton, John H., Thomas J.. Araminta E., Arthur, and Samuel.” [History of the Willamette Valley by Herbert Lang p.676-7]
16) JOHNSON, George Washington (1844-1919): m’d 1866 JONES, Mary P.; s/o Hiram and Elizabeth (Whitley) Johnson; farmed in Marion Co until 1875 and then was businessman in Scio and Salem; fought in Civil War; served in state legislature 1911-1913
16) JOHNSON, Hiram Alvah Sr. (1819-1896): m’d 1841 WHITLEY, Elizabeth; s/o Charles and Rachel (Pratt) Johnson
“JOHNSON, H. A.–Born in New York in 1819; moved to Illinois when twenty-one; married Miss Elizabeth Whitley the next year; in 1847 set out for Oregon, and settled in Marion County; went next year to the California mines for a short stay; in 1862 went into mercantile business, and so occupied himself for five years. Mr. Johnson resides at Salem with his family, which includes seven children J. C., W. G., W. W., H. A., Jr., S. T., F. M., and Rachel C.” [History of the Willamette Valley by Herbert Lang p.678]
16) JOHNSON, John Charles (1842-1920): m’d 1864 GUNSAULES, Violetta; s/o Hiram and Elizabeth (Whitley) Johnson
16) JOHNSON, Rufus: Wagon driver for Samuel Whitley.
16) JOHNSON, William Warren (1847-1906): m’d 25 Feb 1869 HARRIS, Caroline; s/o Hiram and Elizabeth (Whitley) Johnson; born on trail in Nebraska; moved to eastern Oregon c1871 and then to Harney Co c1876 where he remained until his death
LANDESS FAMILY RESEARCHER:
16) LANDESS, Abraham Jr. (1825-1855): m’d 1843 DECKER, Diana; s/o Abraham and Betsy (Conkright) Landess
16) LANDESS, Abraham Sr. (1789-1855): m’d 1811 CONKWRIGHT, Elizabeth “Betsy”; s/o Felix Landers and Rhoda Hopkins.
16) LANDESS, Felix (1820-1903): m’d 1840 WHITE, Elizabeth Jane; s/o Abraham and Betsy (Conkright) Landess
16) LANDESS, George L. (1846-1909): m’d c1874 CARPENTER, Ruhama; s/o Felix and Elizabeth J. (White) Landess
16) LANDESS, John (1823-1904): m’d INGRAM, Leodocia; s/o Abraham and Betsy (Conkright)1 Landess
16) LANDESS, Mary Jane (1845-1920): m’d 1859 TUCKER, William; d/o Abram and Diana (Decker) Landess
16) LANDESS, Nancy Ellen (1847-1928): m1. 1860 CAMPBELL, John M.; m2. LOGAN, Thomas; d/o Abram and Diana (Decker) Landess; born 13 June 1847 on the plains
16) LANDESS, William (1833-1895): m’d 1853 GRAHAM, Elizabeth Caroline; s/o Abraham and Betsy (Conkright) Landess
16) MCNARY, Catharine (1791-1869): m’d 1817 WHITLEY, Samuel; sister of Jane McNary Waller
16) MCNARY, Jane Logan (1792-1869): m’d WALLER, Thomas Carter; was 55 year old widow at time of emigration; sister of Alexander and James McNary of 1845 emigration and Catharine McNary Whitley in this train
RICHARDSON FAMILY RESEARCHER:
16) RICHARDSON, Cornelia Lucretia (1847-1928): m1. 1866 MYERS, William; m2. 06 Jan 1886 GREGORY, George Elmer; d/o Nathaniel and Anna (Bushnell) Richardson; born 14 Sep 1847 Foster Farm, Clackamas Co, OR and died 02 Mar 1928 Meridian, Ada Co, ID; buried Meridian Cemetery, Meridian, Ada Co, ID; mother of 6 children by first husband (Edward Elmer, Mary Ethel, Ernest Shannon, Volna Lewis, Marion Doone, and Vernon Clarence) and 2 children by second husband (Child and Raymond Percy); residing in ID by 1870 census where she remained until her death
16) RICHARDSON, Francis or Frances M. (1838- 1910): s/o Nathaniel and Anna (Bushnell) Richardson; listed as a son in 1850 census. Information regarding the marriage to Lindsay Littleton is incorrect.
16) RICHARDSON, George Washington (1836-1900): s/o Nathaniel and Anna (Bushnell) Richardson; born 1836 Adams Co, IL and died 1900 Baker, Baker Co, OR; buried Mt. Hope Cemetery, Baker, Baker Co, OR
16) RICHARDSON, John Albert (1833-1900): m’d 12 Jul 1871 WHITED, Minerva Jane; s/o Nathaniel and Anna (Bushnell) Richardson; born 17 May 1833 Adams Co, IL and died c1899 Baker, Baker Co, OR; father of 7 children (George G., Mary May, Clarence Victor, Albert, Emory Harlan, Clara B.. and Francis Wallace); by 1880 had moved to Baker Co where he remained until his death c1899 (his wife is enumerated as a widow in the 1900 census)
16) RICHARDSON, Lewis Clarke (1826-1868): m’d 15 Aug 1852 WHITLEY, Eliza; s/o John G. and Orpha (Thompson) Richardson (reportedly went to CA in 1847, returned east and emigrated with parents in 1851 (see 1851). born 12 Jun 1826 Morgan Co, IL and died 18 Feb 1868 in probably CA; after wife’s death in 1866 he is found listed in the 1866 San Francisco, CA voters registration; father of two children (Samuel Thurston and Mary Louisa)
16) RICHARSON, Lois Ann (1842-1885): m’d 07 Nov 1861 KRAMER, Lewis P.; d/o Nathaniel and Anna (Bushnell) Richardson; born c1842 Adams Co, IL and died c1885 probably in Walla Walla Co, WA; mother of 9 children (John M., Calvin L., Nettie R., William Ernest, Robert Clifford, Annie, Mary J., Charles W., and Nellie I.)
16) RICHARDSON, Mary Elizabeth (1831-1890): m1. c1855 FORD, Augustus E.; m2. 1874 NEWCOMER, Solomon; d/o Nathaniel and Anna (Bushnell) Richardson; born 09 Oct 1831 Quincy, Adams Co, IL and died 20 Aug 1890 Boise, Ada Co, ID; mother of 5 children by her first husband (George E., Albert H., Laura A., Mary C. and Guilford D.)
16) RICHARDSON, Nathaniel Carpenter (1808-1898): m1. 09 Mar 1829 BUSHNELL, Anna Hurlburt (1808-1858); m2. 23 Jan 1873 COX, Mrs. Catherine Lydia (MCCONNAUGHEY); s/o George F. and Sarah (Griffin) Richardson; born 1808 Madison Co, IL and died 23 Dec 1899 Hillsboro, Washington Co, OR; buried Lewis Cemetery, Hillsboro, Washington Co, OR; father of 7 children by first wife ( Mary Elizabeth, John A., George Washington, Frances M., Lois Ann, Cornelia Lucretia and Peter H.) father of 1 child by second wife (Nathan); moved from Clackamas Co to Polk Co and by 1870 was in Washington Co, where he remained until his death
“RICHARDSON, NATHANIEL C.–Is a farmer, and lives three miles south of Hillsboro, his home since 1852. His first place of residence in this State was near Oregon City, in Clackamas County. He was born in Madison County, Illinois, in 1808; married to Anna H. Bushnel in 1829, and their children s names are John A., Elizabeth, George W., Frances M., Lois Ann, Cornelia, and Peter. Mr. Richardson married Mrs. C. L. Cox in 1873.” [History of the Willamette Valley by Herbert Lang p.686]
16) ROWELL, James (1809-1890)
16) RITCHEY, James (1819-1901)
16) RITCHEY, John
16) SCHOLL, George W. (1831-1856): s/o Peter and Elizabeth (Cowhick) Scholl
16) SCHOLL, Lucy E. (1829-1916): m’d 1849 WALKER, Stephen H.; d/o Peter and Elizabeth (Cowhick) Scholl
16) SCHOLL, Mary S. (c1838-1886): m’d 1857 RISLEY, Jacob Swain; d/o Peter and Elizabeth (Cowhick) Scholl
16) SCHOLL, Peter (1809-1872): m’d 1828 COWHICK, Elizabeth, s/o William and Martha Jemima (Elledge) Scholl
16) SCHOLL, Peter Boone (1844-1887): m’d 1871 LEVERICH, Louisa Elizabeth; s/o Peter and Elizabeth (Cowhick) Scholl
16) SCHOLL, Sarah Helen (1833-1883): m1. 1851 MERRELL, Charles Jackson; m2. 1859 BENNETT, James R.; d/o Peter and Elizabeth (Cowhick) Scholl
16) SCHOLL, William Thomas (1835-1897): never married; s/o Peter and Elizabeth (Cowhick) Scholl
16) STEWART, Benjamin (1815-1877): m’d CRUMBACKER, Ann
16) STEWART, David (1840-1895): m’d Mary Lee; s/o Benjamin and Ann (Crumbacker) Stewart
16) STEWART, Emeline (1838-1901): m’d Lee Laughlin; d/o Benjamin and Ann (Crumbacker) Stewart
16) STEWART, Eminger (1843-1910): m’d Sarah Officer; s/o Benjamin and Ann (Crumbacker) Stewart
16) STEWART, James (1845-1874): s/o Benjamin and Ann (Crumbacker) Stewart
16) TAYLOR, Elizabeth Ann (1836-1875): m’d 1849 HUMPHREYS, Thomas Dabney; d/o William and Mary (Landess) Taylor; came with Landess grandparents
16) TAYLOR, Nancy (1838-1882): m’d 1857 LINDSAY, Littleton; d/o William and Mary (Landess) Taylor; came with Landess grandparents
16) TAYLOR, Simon Peter (1834-1873): m’d 1863 WIGGENTEN, Iowa Louisa; s/o William and Mary (Landess) Taylor; came with Landess grandparents
16) THOMPSON, Isaac (1805-1871): m’d 1832 FISCUS, Elizabeth (1807-1852)
16) THOMSON, Milton (1833-1903): s/o Isaac and Elizabeth (Fiscus) Thompson
16) THOMSON, Serina (1835-1921): d/o Isaac and Elizabeth (Fiscus) Thompson
16) THOMSON, Shelton (1837-): s/o Isaac and Elizabeth (Fiscus) Thompson
16) THOMSON, Marion (1838-1916): s/o Isaac and Elizabeth (Fiscus) Thompson
16) THOMSON, Alvina (1839-): d/o Isaac and Elizabeth (Fiscus) Thompson
16) THOMSON, Matilda Ann (1842-1930): d/o Isaac and Elizabeth (Fiscus) Thompson
16) THOMSON, Almond (1843-): s/o Isaac and Elizabeth (Fiscus) Thompson
16) THOMSON, Leander (1845-1898): s/o Isaac and Elizabeth (Fiscus) Thompson
WALLER FAMILY RESEARCHER:
16) WALLER, George Townsend (1830-1893): m’d 1855 DOTY, Mary; s/o Thomas and Jane (McNary) Waller; businessman in Eola, Polk Co and McMinnville, Yamhill Co
“WALLER, G. T.–Born in Morgan County, Illinois, September 24, 1830, and came across the plains in 1847 to Oregon and settled in Polk County, where he has since resided. For six years after his arrival he gave his attention to stock-raising, but in 1854 began the mercantile business in Eola. Went to Monmouth in 1876, and October 17, 1882, the present mercantile association, of which he is a member, was formed. This gentleman was married to Mary J. Doty, June 25, 1857, and their children are Oliver F., Emma C., Larin W., Ada A., Minnie, Lula, Allan J., and Allie (deceased).” [History of the Willamette Valley by Herbert Lang p.688]
16) WALLER, Hugh McNary (1817-1893): m’d 18 Aug 1850 DAVIDSON, Mary E.; s/o Thomas and Jane (McNary) Waller; minister of Deciples of Christ Church
“WALLER, H. M.–Lives in Monmouth, Polk County; was born in Indiana, September 9, 1817; entered the ministry while quite young and taught school at the same time; has been a resident of Polk County since his arrival in Oregon ; assisted to organize the first church of the Disciples of Christ on the Pacific Coast, and is still actively engaged in the ministry. Owns farm and city property. On August 18, 1850, he was married to Miss Mary E. Davidson. Six children Melissa J. (deceased), Mary J., Melissa Ann, Thomas C., Etta M., and Ida.” [16) TAYLOR, Elizabeth Ann (1836-1875): m’d 1849 HUMPHREYS, Thomas Dabney; d/o William and Mary (Landess) Taylor; came with Landess grandparentsp.688-9]
WHITE, Elizabeth Jane (1822-1914): m’d 1840 LANDESS, Felix
16) WHITLEY, Amelia Mandeville (1830-1886): m’d 1849 ORCHARD, John; d/o Samuel and Catharine (McNary) Whitley; settled first in Polk Co but by 1880 are farming in Stayton, Marion Co; Amelia died in Linn Co
16) WHITLEY, Catharine Rachel (1830-1860): m’d 1855 GILKISON, Eben Sturgis; d/o Samuel and Catharine (McNary) Whitley; 1860 census living with parents, husband listed as harness maker; Catharine died in 1860 and husband remarried in 1861 and moved to southern OR
16) WHITLEY, Eliza Ann (1824-1866): m’d 1852 RICHARDSON, Lewis Clark; d/o Samuel and Catharine (McNary) Whitley; husband farmed near Scio, Linn Co, OR
16) WHITLEY, Elizabeth Jane (1819-1897): m’d 1841 JOHNSON, Hiram Alvah Sr.; d/o Samuel and Catharine (McNary) Whitley
16) WHITLEY, John Harvey (1825-1858): Never married; s/o Samuel and Catharine (McNary) Whitley; farmed at the forks of the Santiam, Linn Co
16) WHITLEY, Julia Ann (1827-1895): m’d 1856 SHORE, John; d/o Samuel and Catharine (McNary) Whitley; settled in Marion and then Linn Co; husband listed as teamster on 1870 Marion Co Census
16) WHITLEY, Samuel (1789-1868): m’d 1817 MCNARY, Catharine; settled on farm just north of Jefferson, Marion Co