1902 Illustrated history of Grant County Oregon Biographies

James F. Allen-is at the present time operating one of the important commercial establishments of Grant county, and it is due to his excellent ability and uniform uprightness and geniality that he enjoys a good patronage, having labored assiduously to this end since his advent into the realms of trade. Mr. Allen is a man that is universally respected and esteemed by his fellows, and it is especially pleasant to be able to note that in every respect he justly merits the confidence that is so unhesitatingly reposed of him, while his labors for the welfare of all are praiseworthy and commendable.
The birth of James F. occurred in Richmond, McHenry county, Illinois, on February 4, 1855, and his early life was pent on a farm. At the age of four he was taken by his parents to Minnesota, and when he had arrived at the fourteenth miles post in his career he went with his parents to Bates county, Missouri, where he remained until he was twenty years of age. At that time he migrated to California, and in 1880 came to Heppner, engaging as salesman in a mercantile establishment. After a time spent at this work he embarked in the livery business and in 1886 he came to Longcreek in this county, whence in 1890 he removed to his present place in Fox valley and engaged in the general merchandise business. He has a fine trade and carries a good stock of goods. He owns the building in which his store is kept, and also his dwelling, and is universally attended with prosperity. In addition to the duties of his business he has been postmaster at Fox since October 1, 1890, and it is to his credit that he has given universal satisfaction in the discharge of these duties.
The marriage of Mr. Allen and miss India, daughter of John and Sarah Ledgerwood, of Fox valley and a native of Missouri, was celebrated on July 7, 1896, and to them have been born four children, Grace, Doris, Ruby and Theodore E. Mr. Allen is one of the leading men of his community and influential throughout the county, while his integrity and sound principles make him one of Grant's most substantial men.

Andrew Anderson- In the person of Mr. Anderson we have one of Grant county's progressive and industrious stockmen and agriculturists, and one also that has wrought in this capacity for nearly one-third of a century on the place that he now occupies, having come here in a very early day when the first pioneers were making their way into this favored region. Substantial, capable and upright, he has ever manifested unswerving integrity and good principals in all his demeanor and dealings.
Born December 1, 1830, in Sweden, he remained there until 1858, and then came to this land of the free. He followed a seafaring life and before 1864 he had served two years in the American navy. His skill and ability were so manifest that in this time he was one of the gunners and gained distinction in this responsible position. On April 10, 1864, he landed in San Francisco and then went to The Dalles in a few months, where he remained until the spring of 1865, when he came to this region and engaged in mining. For three years he was occupied with this industry and then took his ranch where he lives, six miles northeast from Mount Vernon, on Beach creek. He went to raising cattle and sheep, and at this work he has since continued, while prosperity has smiled upon him. In political matters he is ever active, and he firmly holds to the principles of the grand old party that has piloted the nation safely through crisis when other advocates have failed. He has always been a stanch Republican, and has the courage of his convictions. Mr. Anderson has never taken unto himself a wife, preferring the quieter joys of bachelorhood to the responsibilities and cares incident to connubial bliss.

William Armstrong- No more worthy class of men ever walked the free land of the United States than those who left the comforts of home an civilization to brave the terrors of the desert, the dangers of hostile savages, the hardships of the pilgrim's life and the want and suffering incident to those who are thus isolated. To them is the honor of opening a new realm to the ingress of the thousands that were crowded out of eastern sections of congestion, who have come to the broad fields of the west and made for themselves homes and names and carved out fortunes from the boundless resources of nature's lavish display in these favored regions. Not least among the intrepid and sturdy ones the gentleman whose name is at the head of this article, and who was wrought well and successfully in the furthering of the development of this country.
In 1830, in the mother country, he first saw the light and for twenty-nine years he labored and studied in his native country and then led by an adventurous spirit he migrated to the new land, settling first in Grant county, Wisconsin, where he remained for a few years, then came direct to Oregon, arriving in Canyon City as early as 1864. His attention was turned to mining here until 1870, when he purchased the old military road ranch, where he is now living two miles north from Mount Vernon warm springs. Here he gave himself to stock raising and the improvement of his property, and the success that has attended his efforts has given him a good competence and a comfortable home. His is a well kept ranch, bearing evidence of thrift and industry in every particular. His improvements are tasty and substantial and he has been satisfied to take a medium sized ranch and improve it well rather than to have a great quantity of land that is half cultivated.
The marriage of Mr. Armstrong and Miss Hannah Stonehouse, a native of England, was solemnized in 1862 and to them have been born three children: Robert E., Lizzie, deceased, and William C.