Biography of Martin C. Lesley, 1902, Grant Co., Oregon
Surnames: Lesley, Minkler, 

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An Illustrated History of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties, pub. 1902
by Western Historical Pub. Co. of Chicago. page 463

MARTIN C. LESLEY

Martin C. was born in Pike county, Kentucky, on October 25, 1831, being the
son of Amos and Lucinda Lesley, who removed with their son to Edgar county,
Illinois, in 1837. It was the lot of our subject to have the invigorating and
wholesome exercise of assisting his father on the latter's farm during his
growing days, and also he attended the district school during the proper
seasons. In 1848 he was called to mourn that deepest loss to a boy's heart,
the death of his father. Four years subsequent to this sad occurence he turned
from the associations of childhood and began the long journey across deserts
and mountains to the land of the setting sun, where he has since wrought in
various capacities that have been brought before him in the walks of life. The
journey hither was consumated by the ox team of that day and landing in
Clackamas county, he turned his attention to farming. Subsequent to this work
he was occupied in assisting to repel the attacks of the savages in their
outbreak that brought on the Rogue river war of 1855-56, wherein he served
with faithfulness. Later he was engaged in mining in southern Oregon and in
California. In 1876 he came to Monument mountain and settled on the Heppner
road and took up farming and stock raising, continuing in the same until 1882.
At this date he located the home where he now lives, one and one-half miles
north fron Monument. On this place he has made a speciality of farming, and
the success has crowned his efforts in a very gratifying degree. He owns
sufficient stock to carry on the farm in good shape and his place is well
improved, being now of the generous proportions of two hundred acres. 

The marriage of Mr. Lesley and Mrs. Clara C. Minkler was solemnized in
Clackamas county in October, 1853, and to them have been born two children:
Jasper Newton, living in Tillamook county, this state; Ida, wife of Mr.
Dunnaway, of Portland, recently died. By her former marriage Mrs. Lesley has
four children, Barney, Sarah, Julia and Clarissa. In political circles Mr.
Lesley has been quite prominent and for one term he served the county by
acting in the important office of commissioner, where he did faithful and
efficient work. During the Indian war of 1878, Mr. Lesley and one other man in
the community stayed on their ranches and experienced no difficulty with the
savages.