William T. Pattison: Eugene Gardener and Orchardist
William T. Pattison has been successfully engaged in gardening and fruit raising on his ranch located two miles east of Eugene, Oregon, for the past twenty-seven years. He was born in Lane county on the 1st of June, 1860, and is a son of Robert and Isabel (Eakin) Pattison, the father a native of Illinois and the mother of Ireland. Robert Pattison passed the first eighteen years of his life in his native state, whence he crossed the plains to Oregon in an emigrant train with his parents in 1849. They located at Oregon City, but later removed to Puget Sound, residing there for some years. Returning to Oregon, in 1859 Robert Pattison and Miss Eakin were married at Camp creek and there settled. Robert Pattison devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits during the remainder of his life meeting with such lucrative returns that he acquired four hundred and twenty acres of highly improved land three miles from Eugene. This he devoted to general farming in connection with which he also engaged in dairying. He passed away in January, 1908, and the mother in February, 1910. They were the parents of five children, as follows; John, who is living on the old homestead; Maggie, the wife of Mark Flemming of Eugene; and Belle, who is living in Eugene.
William T. Pattison was reared on the ranch where he was born and obtained his education in the common schools. While engaging in the mastery of the common branches of English learning he was becoming familiar with the duties of an agriculturist by assisting his father with his work of the fields and care of the stock. After leaving school he gave his entire time and attention to the operation of the home ranch until he was twenty-five. He then left the parental roof and began farming for himself. In 1885, together with his brother he purchased one hundred acres of land that they cultivated in cooperation for two years. The brother having died, at the end of that time the land came into the possession of Mr. Pattison, who has ever since resided there. His home ranch now contains seventy-five acres, all improved and in a high state of productivity. Here he engages in gardening and fruit-raising and in dairying on a smaller scale. He has directed his undertakings in a highly intelligent and capable manner and has prospered accordingly, and in addition to his fine home ranch owns twenty-two acres adjacent thereto that is likewise devoted to gardening and fruit growing.
In 1895, Mr. Pattison was united in marriage to Miss Alice Campbell, who was born in Union county, Oregon, on October 28, 1866, and is a daughter of James and Mary Jane Campbell. The father was a native of Ireland and the mother of Ohio. They were married in the Buckeye state and there passed the first five years of their domestic life. In 1858, they came to Oregon by way of the isthmus, first locating near Monroe, Benton county. Later they disposed of their ranch there and went to Union county and bought land, that the father cultivated for five years. At the end of that period they returned to Benton county and two years later they purchased five hundred and forty acres of land in Lane county, sixteen miles northeast of Eugene. Here they made thereafter their home, the father devoting his energies to general farming, hop-growing and stock-raising for thirty-nine years, with gratifying success. The parents are now both deceased, the mother having passed away in 1907 and the father in April, 1910. Their family numbered eleven children, seven of whom are still living. In order of birth they are as follows: Sarah E. and Luther, who are deceased; George, who lives in the state of Washington; Coyle, who is a resident of Spokane, Washington; Laura, the wife of Charles Brattain of Camp creek, Oregon; Oscar, who is living in Eugene; Mary, the wife of Mathew Male, of Springfield, Oregon; Mrs. Pattison; James, who is deceased; Clara, who married Richard Male residing in the vicinity of Eugene; and Frank, who is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Pattison have four children: Florence, who was born on the 1st of November, 1896, and is a high-school student at Eugene; Edna, whose birth occurred in 1898, also attending school; Melville, born on the 25th of April, 1899, a student of the public schools; and Frank, born February 2, 1902.
The family attend the services of the Presbyterian church in which the parents hold membership, and fraternally Mr. Pattison is identified with the Woodmen of the World, belonging to the camp at Eugene. He votes the republican ticket, but has never held an official position. He is a very diligent and enterprising man, as is manifested by the well kept appearance of his ranch, and exercises good judgment and much sagacity in the direction of his energies. His entire life has been passed in the vicinity of his present residence, where he has many friends of long years standing.
James A. Ebbert: Springfield Pioneer Rancher
Through his judicious speculations in real estate and the capable direction of his agricultural pursuits, James A. Ebbert, who lives retired on his ranch three and a half miles east of Springfield, is known as one of the most prosperous pioneer ranchmen in this portion of Lane county. He was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, on March 25, 1831, and is a son of James and Eliza (De Vecmon) Ebbert. The father was a native of Uniontown, Pennsylvania, and the mother of Cumberland, Maryland, but they were married in Fayette county and made that their home until 1851. In the latter year they removed to Van Buren county, Iowa, where the father bought some land that he cultivated until the mother's death in 1866. He subsequently disposed of his farm and went to Birmingham, Iowa, and lived retired until his death in 1873. Mr. and Mrs. Ebbert were the parents of a large family, some of whom died in Pennsylvania and others in Iowa, our subject being the eldest of the six who are living. The others in order of birth are as follows: George, a resident of Monmouth, Oregon; William, of Condon, Oregon; Harrison, who served for three years in the Civil war and is now living in Salem, Oregon; Ingabe, the wife of Joseph Keck, of Seattle, Washington; and Harriet, who married A. H. Morris, of Van Buren county, Iowa.
At the age of sixteen years James A. Ebbert left the parental roof and began earning his own living. He accompanied his brother to Iowa in 1851, and upon his arrival there rented some land that he cultivated for a year. At the end of that time he continued his journey westward to Oregon, having been eighty days in crossing the prairies with an ox team. He first located near Hillsboro in Washington county but subsequently went to the Rogue River country and prospected in the gold mines for eighty days. He returned to Portland in 1852 and the next year he came to Lane county and took up a donation claim near Springfield. He energetically applied himself to the cultivation of this for four years selling it in 1859 for one thousand dollars. This he immediately invested in one hundred sixty acres of land which formed the nucleus of his present ranch, and continued his agricultural pursuits. In the direction of his activities he has met with good success and has extended his property holdings until he now owns five thousand acres of rich land in Lane county, Oregon, and Whitman county, Washington, all of it under high cultivation. His home place is well improved and fully equipped with every appliance or machine essential to modern agricultural methods.
On the 15th of December, 1853, Mr. Ebbert was united in marriage to Elizabeth Brattain, who was born in Illinois in 1930, and was a daughter of Paul and Martha Brattain. They removed from Illinois to Iowa, and there the mother passed away in 1846. Six years later the father, with the other members of the family, crossed the plains to Oregon. Mr. Brattain took up a donation claim in the vicinity of Springfield, and continued to reside there until his death in 1883. He was one of the prominent and influential citizens of the pioneer period and assisted in framing the state constitution, and he served in a like capacity in Iowa. Ten children were born of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Brattain, all but three of whom are deceased. Those living are as follows: Amelia, the wife of J. F. Smith, of Jasper, this state; James Cyrus of Springfield, where he resides on the old Brattain donation claim, still owned by the heirs of the family; and William, who lives in Okanogan county, Washington. Mrs. Ebbert passed away on the 29th of July, 1902, her death occurring in Oregon, as did likewise those of the other members of the family.
The political allegiance of Mr. Ebbert is accorded the republican party, but he has never been identified with governmental affairs in an official capacity. His residence in Oregon covers a period of sixty years, fifty-eight of which he has passed in Lane county. During that time he has substantially contributed toward its progress and development along agricultural lines through the capable efficient methods he has adopted in the cultivation of his extensive holdings.
Robert Donnell Bushnell: Wheat and Hog Rancher of Irving
Robert Donnell Bushnell, whose energies have always been devoted to the general agricultural pursuits and stock-raising, is the owner of a well cultivated and attractive ranch located one and a quarter miles south of Irving. He was born in California in 1866, and is a son of George E. and Nancy (Andrews) Bushnell, the father a native of Ohio and the mother of Missouri. The parents crossed the plains with an ox team during the early years of their domestic life, settling on a donation claim, which embraced the ranch now owned and operated by our subject. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bushnell, of whom our subject is the youngest. The eldest member of the family, Bessie, is deceased; and Belle, the next in order of birth, married S. L. Bond, of Irving, by whom she has had four children, Olivia, Frank, Samuel and Greetus.
As he was a child of only one year when his parents located in Lane county, practically the entire life of Robert Donnell Bushnell has been passed on the ranch where he is now living. He received a common-school education and was early trained in the practical methods of tilling the fields and caring for the crops. Upon attaining his majority he purchased seventy acres of the home ranch from his father and has ever since assiduously applied himself to its further improvement and cultivation. During the intervening years he has brought it under high cultivation and has made extensive improvements, including the erection of substantial modern buildings and the installation of various conveniences, thus adding greatly to the appearance and value of the property. He also owns another ranch of forty acres on the Pacific Highway. In connection with the cultivation of his home place, Mr. Bushnell is operating his mother's ranch, containing one hundred and eighty-five acres, adjoining his own. His principal crop is wheat, but his specialty is the raising of thoroughbred hogs and standard bred horses. As he is a diligent man, efficient and practical in his methods and progressive in his ideas, he has met with a goodly measure of success, and is numbered among the prosperous ranchmen of that section. His homestead is located four and a half miles northwest of Eugene and a mile and a quarter south of Irving on the Eugene road, one of the populous portions of the county.
For his wife and helpmate, Mr. Bushnell chose Miss Maud E. Lyons, a daughter of T. L. and Delia J. (Edmunson) Lyons, the mother a native of Oregon and the father of California. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Lyons numbered three, Mrs. Bushnell being the oldest. Her sister is Elva, who was given a common-school education and is now employed in a large real-estate office in Seattle. John H., her only brother, is engaged in the mining business at Medford, Oregon. Mrs. Bushnell was educated in the common schools of Oregon and prior to her marriage taught for one term in Crook county, this state. To Mr. and Mrs. Bushnell have been born three sons, as follows: G. Edwin, whose birth occurred in 1899, attending school at Irving; Robert K. born on the 2nd of December, 1901; and Julius Blygh, whose natal day was the 13th of January, 1907.
The family attend the Methodist Episcopal church, and fraternally Mr. Bushnell is affiliated with the United Artisans, while his political support is given to the republican party. He has never figured prominently in the public life of the community, nevertheless he is not remiss in matters of citizenship, but gives his indorsement to every progressive movement and actively cooperates in advancing the development of the country along the various lines of human activity.
George Washington Taylor: Lane County Horticultural Society
George Washington Taylor, who owns and operates a ranch of eighty acres located four miles northeast of Eugene, has only been a resident of Lane county for two years, but as president of the Lane County Horticultural Society has become widely known among the agriculturists and fruit growers in this section of the state. He was born in Pennsylvania on the 22nd of February, 1858, and is a son of James and Bettie (Mills) Taylor, natives of Lancashire, England, whence they emigrated to the United States. Upon their arrival in this country they settled in the Keystone state and there passed the remainder of their lives. Their family numbered the following: William, a resident of Dwight, Illinois, and a great friend of the late Dr. Keeley, the discoverer of the formula for the cure of the liquor and drug habits; Elizabeth, the widow of Benjamin Greaves of Allegheny City, Pennsylvania; John M., who lives in Pittsburgh; Rachel, the wife of William T. Mobberly, also of Allegheny City; Robert, who is in the steel business in Pittsburgh; Ellen, who is unmarried and makes her home with her sister Elizabeth in Allegheny City; James, who is deceased; George Washington, our subject; and Charles L., the manager of the Presbyterian Banner, a religious publication of Allegheny City.
At the age of fifteen years, George Washington Taylor terminated his school days and began to earn his own livelihood. On starting out to make his own way in the world, he obtained employment in a green house, as the work was both congenial and lucrative he continued to follow it for thirty two years. During that period through his varied experience and extensive reading and observation he became very familiar with plant life, and is a most able and well informed horticulturist. While living in the east he was connected with a number of well known seed and nursery houses, and at one time was an employee of Peter Henderson. In 1905, Mr. Taylor removed to Oregon, locating in Medford. There he purchased forty acres of land that he planted to pears and is now realizing a good annual income from his orchard. For five years he served as fruit inspector for Jackson county and he also held the position of entomologist for several years. In 1910 he came to Eugene and subsequently purchased from Alfred Barnett the ranch he now owns and which was formerly a portion of the old Stevens donation claim. Sixty-two acres of his holdings Mr. Taylor has brought under high cultivation, twenty of it being planted to small fruits, pears, apples and apricots. It is developing nicely under his capable supervision and will undoubtedly become one of the most valuable properties in this section of the county.
In September, 1884, Mr. Taylor was united in marriage to Miss Emma Hackison, a daughter of Benjamin and Ingre Hackison, and to them have been born two children, a daughter and a son. Myrtle, the wife of Grant Stone, of Los Angeles, California, was educated in the Allegheny City and Pittsburgh public schools, and later took a course in a business college. George W. Jr., who is living at home with his parents was also educated in Pittsburgh and given the advantages of a business college course.
The family are affiliated with the Episcopal church and Mr. Taylor is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men, American Mechanics and Patriotic League. His political support he gives to the republican party but has never sought nor held any public office, save such as pertain directly to his business. He now holds papers from the state government permitting him to kill anything in the way of game for scientific purposes. Mr. Taylor had the distinction of being one of the forty delegated to meet Admiral Dewey when he landed in New York, and has always been recognized as one of the foremost citizens in any community in which he has resided.
Hon. Charles Wesley Washburne: Intrepid Pioneer of Junction City
Many and varied are the interesting incidents in the life history of Hon. Charles Wesley Washburne, who has twice made the long and arduous journey across the country from Iowa and the Mississippi valley to the Pacific coast. During the period of his residence in Oregon he has been closely and prominently identified with agricultural interests and has become the owner of much valuable property, having today between two and three thousand acres of land in Lane county. He has also been a prominent factor in the public life of his community and has served from his district as a member of the state legislature.
Ohio numbers him among her native sons, his birth having occurred in Gallia county, September 13, 1824. His parents were Robert and Eve (Roy) Washburne, the former of English decent and the latter of Wales. According to the laws of England, an elder brother, Isaac, inherited all of the grandfather's property, leaving Robert, the youngest son, without patrimony. He crossed the Atlantic, made his way to Ohio and afterward settled near Springfield, Sangamon county, Illinois, where he died in 1840, having for about a year survived his wife who passed away in 1839.
C. W. Washburne was reared in the states of Ohio and Illinois, and in 1849 when twenty-five years of age joined a large company en route for the gold mines of California. They selected for captain one Ikenberry, who had crossed the plains to Oregon in 1847. They passed over the Missouri river at St. Joseph and on reaching Blue river thought they saw buffaloes, but on nearer approach these proved to be Indians who ambushed the company. The white men scattered, agreeing to protect themselves as best as they could and capture as many Indians as possible. As the red men approached they talked to them and told them they were a large company. The Indians seemed peaceful yet camped that night a short distance away with the intention of killing the party, but fearing that there was too big a company they did not risk an attack. While hunting near Chimney Rock, Mr. Washburne killed an antelope and, cutting out the hams, threw them over his shoulder and started back to camp. The morning being warm he had left behind his coat but ere he reached camp a terrific hail storm came on, pelting him unmercifully. At length he laid aside his gun and meat and started on a run for camp. Arriving there he found that the storm had caused the teams to stampede and that the axle of Captain Ikenberry's wagon had been broken, which caused the party to lay by until a man passed carrying an extra axle which was purchased. The oxen were recovered two or three miles away and some of the party also went back for the antelope meat upon which they all feasted.
On one occasion the Ikenberry party was passed by a company with horses and fine equipments and big wagon beds, being supplied with stoves. Their supplies had been shipped thus far by boat. The company called "good-by" and laughed as they passed the Ikenberry party, who however, said that they would see them again. In a couple of weeks they overtook the company who had cut their wagon beds down and lightened their loads. It was now the turn of the Ikenberry party to call out "good-by" and ride on. For the second time they were passed by the other company and then once more it was their turn to ride on in advance of them. By that time they had abandoned their wagons, previously down to two wheels, and packed their horses. On this occasion some of the company joined the Ikenberry party, who found them whole-souled, honorable men and to one of them Mr. Washburne sold a horse on time, receiving the pay after they arrived in California. The party proceeded over the trail of the Mormons and on reaching the Sierra Nevada mountains a number of the young fellows thought they would climb to the highest peak and look over into the Sacramento valley, but when they had scaled the heights they saw mountain stretching on mountain as far as the eye could reach. After building a fire they made tea, ate their luncheon and ran all the way down hill to camp. They then proceeded over the long mountain range, the way being at once so difficult and steep that they had to lighten their loads. At length they reached Hangtown and afterward Sutter's mill, whence Mr. Washburne and his partner, Mr. Morrow proceeded to Sacramento where they sold their oxen and wagons. From Coloma they proceeded to the middle fork of the American river and in the middle of the stream began digging until their heads were almost under water and they had to give up.
Mr. Washburne next joined some old acquaintances and began mining in Humboldt canyon in the north fork of the American river where they found a pot hole, but after spending thousands of dollars did not meet with success. The Indians killed their pack horses while wintering on Canyon creek and prices were so high that sugar, flour, coffee and hay were sold for one dollar per pound. They next went to Grizzly canyon and in the fall of 1850 took a steamer from Sacramento to San Francisco from which point they proceeded by a sailing vessel toward Panama. One of the interesting incidents of that trip was that a whale followed them staying close by the vessel. Their progress was so slow that they changed their plans, continuing by the Nicaraguan route making the overland trip in a stage, which was a two-wheeled affair the wheels being cut from logs with holes bored in for axles. The covering was of rawhide and the stage was drawn by two yoke of oxen, one driver sitting in the front of the stage and punching the animals with a spear while the other held the leader rope. They proceeded across Lake Nicaragua in a sailing vessel and when on the opposite side hired two natives to take them down the San Juan river. On the lake trip they passed the first steam propelled boat that navigated on Lake Nicaragua which was being brought up the river by Americans and when the steam failed they would pull the boat with ropes from the bank. At that stage of the journey Mr. Washburne became ill with a fever and against the doctor's advice proceeded on his way, the sea voyage, however, restoring his health. After arriving at New Orleans they became passengers on the steamer Wide West. At St. Louis the ice was running in the river so that they could not proceed farther and then bought a wagon and team, driving to their home in Mount Pleasant, Iowa.
Mr. Washburne's intention was to return west the next spring but decided to spend a year at home and during that period there occurred an event which had to do with his whole after-life. At a spelling contest held between the Bradford and Washburne schools Catherine Stansbury and her sister Ann both carried off the honors, Catherine spelling down her sister at the last. On that occasion Mr. Washburne formed her acquaintance and on the 23rd of November, 1851, at Pleasant Hill, they were married. Mr. Washburne then purchased a farm but was not content to remain in Iowa and after a year sold his property and outfitted two wagons for Oregon, one of which he turned over to his sister Jane and her husband, R.S. Robert. His eldest brother, James W., also outfitted two wagons so that they brought all their relatives with them excepting one sister who died soon afterward.
On the 21st day of March, 1853 the start was made and after traveling through Iowa and Missouri they crossed the Missouri river on Sarpee's steam ferry below St. Joseph. At Elk Horn river they were delayed by high waters and at the Platte river were in a terrible storm of hail and rain, the water standing a foot on the ground for more than an hour. They burned their tent poles for no other fuel was obtainable and that night slept in wet beds. To cross Wood river the men lashed two wagon beds together to serve as a ferry, and the women washed and baked and sunned the loads. They passed many little prairie dog towns and as they proceeded they saw many graves along the way that had been dug up by the coyotes. When near Chimney Rock the eldest child of Mr. Washburne was born and the daughter was given the name of Ruth Ellen. After leaving the Platte river they were nearly choked by sand and alkali dust and when they reached the Sweetwater river they, indeed, thought it an appropriate name. In that locality they passed snow near which they picked lovely flowers, resembling cypress. The hills were very steep and on the descent they had to hold the wagon to keep them from upsetting. On a fork of the Bear river the crickets proved a matter of great curiosity to them, the ground being literally covered with them. They were of a red color and as large as mice. The Indians dry them, pound them to powder and mix them with berries and bake this for bread.
In camp on Snake river the party were in want of good water yet over on the opposite side they could see clear springs of water pouring over the banks from underground rivers. At Devil creek the Indians attempted to stampede the cattle and got away with an ox. The next morning Mr. Washburne was looking for it, standing up in the stirrups, he saw an Indian whom the white men surrounded and captured, but they could get no information from him and on being turned loose the fellow started away as hard as he could run. They continued over the old route and on the highest hills looked down in the Grande Ronde valley where they could see the Indian camps. At Umatilla river they bought the first corn and potatoes at an Indian garden and coming to an Indian agency saw the first house in two thousand miles. They proceeded over the Cascade mountains by the Barlow route and in going down the steepest mountains tied trees to the wagons while Mrs. Washburne led the horse and carried the baby. On reaching the Willamette valley they saw trees weighted down with red apples and it seemed to them a paradisaical spot. They proceeded up the valley to their claim two miles west of what is now Junction City, arriving November 9, 1853. Within a week's time, Mr. Washburne had cut and hauled logs from the banks of the Long Tom river and had a roof on his little cabin into which he moved his family. That night it began to rain and never ceased until the waters had risen from the foothills to the highest ground. Of both parties crossing the plains with Mr. Washburne in 1849 as well as in 1853 there is now no one living but himself.
From that time to the present Mr. Washburne has been identified with agricultural interests in Oregon, but while he has prospered in his farming pursuits he takes greater pride in the fact that he has reared a large family who have been a credit and honor to the community. His wife was a native of Indiana and a daughter of John and Ruth (Hubble) Stansbury, the former of whom was born in Maryland. Mrs. Washburne died in Junction City, April 4, 1894. She was a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church which she joined soon after coming to Oregon and it was through her untiring efforts that the house of worship of that denomination was built at Junction City. Their eldest child, Ruth Ellen, became the wife of John Wortman, a son of Jacob Wortman and the founder of the First National Bank of McMinnville. Three sons were born of this marriage; Ralph, Frank and Fred, who are conducting the bank, with their father. Their mother died on March 14, 1909. George W. Washburne, now deceased, was one of the first graduates of the University of Oregon. He studied law, was admitted to the bar and served as judge of Lane county. He married Minnie Lockwood and had two sons, the elder, Chester W., in the United States geological department in which he has a number of men working under him. At present the government has granted him a furlough which he is spending with a mining company in Argentine Republic. The younger son, Carl, is partner in one of the leading mercantile establishments in Eugene. Eve Jean Washburne became the wife of R. P. Hill, formerly a merchant but now a banker of Colfax, Washington. They have three children, Catherine, Charles and Eva. Byron A. Washburne of Springfield was engaged in the flouring mill business with his father but recently sold that and bought the Mallory farm. He served a term in the Oregon legislature in 1909, is now postmaster of Springfield and is vice president of the Farmers & Merchants Bank of Junction City. He married Amanda Clark and they have two children: Helen, a graduate of the State University, of 1911; and Claude, who is now studying there. William C. Washburne is president, cashier and manager of the Farmers & Merchants Bank at Junction City, which latter position he entered upon at the opening of the bank. He also manages his father's extensive business affairs and is one of the leading and prominent men of his town and county. He married Julia Hamilton and has one son, James. Emma A. Washburne married William Butler by whom she had two sons, Guy and Jay. Since the death of her first husband she has become the wife of W. W. Crawford, engaged in the automobile business in Albany. Bertha K. Washburne is the wife of E. U. Lee, who served for ten consecutive years as a clerk of Lane county and is now in the banking business at Eugene. They have two children, Croesus and Roy. Fred W. Washburne owns a fruit and chicken farm north of Vancouver, Washington. Laetitia S. Washburne is living with her father in his declining years, making his home life happy.
Mr. Washburne resided for twenty years on the old donation claim but in 1873 purchased one hundred and sixty acres of T.A. Milliorn, adjoining Junction City and removed to that place, although he still owns the old donation homestead. He is yet engaged in farming and stock-raising and is also one of the stockholders and directors in the Farmers & Merchants Bank of Junction City, with a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars. The new home of the bank will be a two story brick building fifty by one hundred feet and the entire stock is owned by C. W. Washburne, W. C. Washburne, B. A. Washburne, T. A. Milliorn and J. P. Milliorn. Beside owning residence property in Junction City he has between two and three thousand acres in this district together with other land and business property in other parts of the county. He still manages his individual business affairs and buys and sells land, having thus handled thousands of acres in different western states and he just now sold seventeen hundred acres in Morrow county, Oregon.
Mr. Washburne cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. In 1872 he was elected to the state legislature in which he served with Al Power and Nat Martin, while in the senate then were William Bristow and Dr. Patterson, all of whom are now deceased. With Mr. Washburne these men were instrumental in locating the University of Oregon at Eugene and in laying the foundation of the state capitol at Salem. In community affairs Mr. Washburne has also been deeply interested, cooperating in any movements for the public good, and in 1908 he donated land for and helped to build what is now known as the Washburne high school. He is in his eighty-eighth year, one of the most venerable and honored residents of lane county. His mind is stored with many interesting incidents of pioneer times and his memory forms a connecting link between the primitive past and the progressive present.
From the The Centennial History of Oregon 1811-1912, Volume II published by The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, Chicago, 1912.
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