Biography of John W. Wisdom, Baker Co. Oregon: Surnames listed: Wisdom, Guess, Sturgill, Blake.

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Transcribed by: W. David Samuelsen
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An Illustrated History of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties, pub. 1902 
by Western Historical Pub. Co. of Chicago. 

Page 246

Hon. John W. Wisdom

Mr. Wisdom was born in Randolph county, Missouri, on March 15, 1840, being the 
son of Thomas Barnes and Lucinda (Guess) Wisdom, who came to Baker City in 1863;
the mother died here two years after her arrival and his father passed away in 
1893, at the age of seventy-five. Our subject was educated in the log schoolhouse
in his native county and in 1856 removed to Grundy county, in the same state, 
where he was occupied in tilling the soil until 1861, when he removed to Boone 
County and in the following spring started across the plains to this country,
being with a train of sixty wagons. The first winter he hauled the supplies from
The Dalles. He was occupied in a blacksmith shop and on a canal for a time near 
Baker and then wen to Idhao in the mines, following which he commenced to farm 
on a squatter's claim in this county, and on the night of June 21, 1864, his 
entire crop was destroyed by freezing. He divided his attention between farming 
and freighting until 1866, when he sold his teams and engaged in the drug 
business, where we find him today, continuing in the same stand, having never 
made a move during all these years. His is the pioneer business of the city and 
his faithfulness and care in his business has given him a gratifying success. He
owns a stock farm of three hundred and sixty-seven acres and is interested in
breeding blooded horses. He raised and owned Challenger Chief, a horse with a 
good record, and many other good ones. In political matters he has shown marked 
interest and has been the recipient of honors from the people, among which 
positions he has been called to fill by popular vote may be mentioned that of 
state senator in 1874, serving that year and all of the two following years, 
treasurer of Baker City five years; president of the board of school directors 
when the high school was built; and also he was delegate to the national 
Democratic convention that nominated Hancock and English.

The marriage of Mr. Wisdom and Miss Mary E. Sturgill, a native of Sullvian 
county, Missouri, occurred near Wingville, on June 14, 1868,and they have become 
the parents of the following children: Ada, deceased; Frank, deceased; Frances W.,
wife of E. H. Blake, of Kansas City, Missouri; Marguerite, deceased; Vesper, 
deceased; Loys Winter; Mable Gertrude; Glenn Albert; John W., Jr. Those who have
passed away are all lying buried in the cemetery at Baker City.

Mr. Wisdom is a member of the I.O.O.F. and also of the Masons, being the oldest 
material member in Baker City Lodge, No. 25. He has so demeaned himself that his
reputation is untarnished and geniality has won him hosts of friends throughout 
the entire county.
--End--