John Edward Gillespie

January, 1937

I was born February 27, 1873, in Moscow, Idaho. I married Elva Mae Martin December 25, 1898 at Dutch Flat, Oregon. She died 1919 (*1) at Hepner, Oregon, and was buried at Spray, Oregon. We had 12 children, two died at birth, two lived a short while. There is seven living at this writing. Florence died June 2, 1934, at Exeter, California and was buried there.

My father's name was George Charles Gillespie, (pictured below) born in Sineky, Co. N.Y. Oct. 18, 1833, died 1912 at Clarkston, Wash., also buried there.

Mother was Angeline Fidelia Jackson, born in Your Hill, Ore., Feb. 17, 1850 died 1892. They had three girls and me. Their names were Mary, Nora and Jennie.

I can remember back when Mother and Father would bring things in the house at night to guard from the Indians and how my older sister would cry with fright. They would bar the doors and no doubt watch close all night. The Indians often came to council with my father as they had great faith in him.

There is a lot of difference in children now and then, we did what our parents told us and we were glad to do so.

John Edward’s (Eddie’s) father and mother, George and Angeline

There was a great change after mother died at Riddle, Oregon, 1812. Nora was still at home, was crippled in one leg but could do lots of work. She and I made the living for sometime, but after Mother died Nora had to keep house for Father and it all fell on me. I was able to do it until Nora married two years later. Father tried to live with her but he wasn't satisfied. I drifted around for a few years. At 20 or 21 I started working for corsner. Worked three years, saved my money and keep father close so I could look out for him. He had everything he needed.

I took $800.00 of my money (*2) and bought half interest in a bunch of cattle and ranch with Orcen Martin, then began prospering I seem to have luck in everything I did. Later we bough more land and my partner got a saw mill he talked me into it with him. There was good money in it so rented the ranch out for two years. Ran the mill for all there was in it, made big money. I got engaged to his sister and married two years later, Dec. 25, 1898. I had to take a team and buckboard 75 miles to where she was at Canyon City, Ore.

Got there at six o'clock that evening and had to find the Co. clerk to get license to be married the next day, Sun. Dec. 25, I stayed there the day I was married (*3)and went back the next day, Monday, 75 miles, a big drive for a team. We danced all night. No one knew I was going to get married. I told them I was going to Canyon City to get my girl for the dance. It was dark when we got in and I fixed everything with the Hotel women and got our baggage through the back way. Had supper at midnight, returned to the dance still no one knew we were married, Father thought it would be a big joke to tell so did. When I saw the boys coming to the dance with their eyes n me I knew it was off. They wanted me down town so I introduced my wife to the girl close by and left. It cost me plenty to make things right.

After having breakfast at the Hotel we went to the mill. (*4) I had a good house built and furnished to go to. We were happy although I had to work hard. It was 28 below zero. Had to hire men to haul our logs we cut while the snow lasted, was hard work. I don't believe you could get a man to work now as we did daylight to dark. We got all the logs cut and to the mill by the first of June. Then moved our mill up on the S. Fork of the John Day river (90) miles. Took two months to move, was so heavy. I loaded and moved the big boiler myself, took 12 horses to pull it. I drove, got a man to do the braking. Had two six-horse teams and two four-horse teams. My wife rode 'Black Hawk', the horse I gave her before we married the first trip. She went on to Canyon City and stayed with her brother until we were all moved.

I went to Canyon City to spend the fourth of July with my wife and was exposed to the measles in a week Elva took them. I took them a week later. Was laid up two weeks. Then we went back. I sawed lumber to build houses and Elva did the cooking. Then I took earceplis came near killing me. Lost two months work then. The next spring I traded my interest in the mill for Orcen interest in the ranch and property in Monument. I sold the Dance hall and houses in Monument a year later the ranch. Rented my wife’s Father's place and bought stock. Cattle went up and I sold out. Then worked on county road as road boss. A good job, should have kept it, good money.

I then bought a saloon in Spray and ran it for two years. Good money but poor business sold out and went to farming. I was worth good money then. Sold what horses I had, 100 head for $1500.00. I left Spray Co. went to Hepner to the wheat belt to farm again. My luck changed, commenced to loosing. sickness being the cause. In ten years was broke. I built up again and fell again, sickness pulled me down. I then went to work for a man, saved $1800.00 Rented a place, got stock, was making good, the boys were big enough to help alot.

The flu set in, lost my wife and was sick two years myself. Had to sell the stock to pay the bills and couldn't get ahead after that.

It was harder for me to be Mother and Father both than I told anybody and I don't think any of my children had given it the proper thought or me the credit they should but when they raise a family of their own they'll better understand. Now I do not think there is any use telling anymore, you kids know the rest.

After working around Lewiston and Buhl a few years came to Exeter, Cal. Nov. 3, 1933. Third Sunday in April 1934, gave myself to the Lord and expect to go all the way with him. I want to live that everybody will say they think I am doing so. I am also paying for Florence's grave. $27.50 in all, John paid $5.00, I the rest. I took the grave next to hers for $15.00 if the Lord is willing will pay for it.

I hope to spend the rest of my days in or near Exeter, and be ready to meet Jesus. I am looking for him soon. I hope he will see fit to call me and that he will take care of me that he will call me for he will know best.

(corrections added sometime later)

A mistake about the grave near Florence, I got another as you know. (Exeter)

Jan. 1, 1951

I have seven children living, Zearl J. in Ore. Marion H. in Ida. Clyde E. in Calif. Arthur E. in Wash. Wilber F. in Wash John E. in Calif. Grace Lowe in Ida.

I never kept a record until I was saved in 34 nor had a Bible. There was four children two died at birth and two lived a short while. I don't remember the births and two of their names. One was named Leela and one Clifford, Buried where their mother is.

I feel that I should mention that all I have such as house, household goods, including stove and refrigerator, bed and if anything left of finance after funeral, I feel John is entitled to it who had been good enough to furnish me with a home. Not but what any one of the children would do the same and I love them all.

DAD

FOOTNOTES

*1- my copy of this letter (typed out and not the original) has 1920 penciled over the date. Her head stone says 1919, but was placed on the grave in the 1940's so could be wrong.

*2- penciled in is the date 1896

*3- penciled in margin by "married the next day" is "at Ella Power's".

*4-penciled in after "at the mill" is "Waterman Flat by Mitchell".

Brittany & Alicia’s Great Great Grandfather