Biography of W. H. Bentley, 1902, Baker Co. Oregon: Surnames: Bentley

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Transcribed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
W. David Samuelsen - December 2001
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An Illustrated History of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties, pub. 1902
by Western Historical Pub. Co. of Chicago. page 360

W. H. Bentley

He was born in Licking county, Ohio, on March 24, 1831, and while still a
child was removed to Richmond, Indiana, with the other members of the family,
later to Greenfield, the same state, and then to Putnam county, Missouri, and
finally, in 1846, they came to Iowa, where our subject attended school in a
log house and acquired the discipline of birch and literary research there to
be obtained. In 1849 he removed to Illinois, and in 1852 turned toward the
occident and threaded the dreary and dangerous plains with ox-teams for four
months and ten days until he reached the land "where rolls the Oregon" and
selected a home on one of its tributaries in Yamhill county, there occupying
himself in carpentering and operating a saw mill. After some time he was
attracted to Florence, Idaho, and spent one summer in searching for the hidden
treasure of that region; he also went to Boise basin, where eh continued the
search for a brief period. After this he repaired to Umatilla for the winter
and the following spring was engaged as superintendent on the Indian
reservation, his duties being to instruct the aborigines in the art of
agriculture. It was as early as 1865 that he made a permanent settlement in
Baker county, although he had frequently been in its territory previous to
that date. At that time he bought state land and occupied himself in its
culture and in teaming for a short time, when he again turned to mining in
Burnt basin, near the Express ranch. In 1868 he came to this valley and
followed farming and carpentering until 1886, when he removed into Baker City,
there also prosecuting his handicraft for a time and then was elected justice
of the peace, discharging the duties of that office with such ability and
faithfulness for four years that he was called by the people to accept the
position of police judge, auditor and clerk for the municipality of Baker
City, and in the fulfillment of the functions of this incumbency we find him
at the present time, being re-elected tot he same office on November 4, 1901.
His life has been one constant expression of the faithful performance of duty
that devolved upon him and the faithfulness and integrity thus manifested have
won for him the entire confidence of the people, while he is also held in
marked esteem and distinction by all who have the pleasure of his
acquaintance. In fraternal affiliations the Judge is with I.O.O.F., and the
Red Men, being a popular associate in both orders, as well as generally
throughout the county.