Umatilla County OR Archives Biographies.....Emrich, Michael April 10, 1824 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Carlene Still crstill@oregontrail.net August 4, 2006, 2:50 am

Author: Colonel William Parsons

Page 406, 407

MICHAEL EMRICH
	It is with pleasure that we recount the leading items in the career of 
this worthy veteran and esteemed citizen and hardy pioneer.
	His birth occurred in Perry county, Ohio, on April 10, 1824, where he 
grew to manhood and received a rudimentary education.  In 1846 he enlisted in 
Company D, Second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served through the Mexican war, 
participating in the siege of Monterey, Buena Vista and many skirmishes.  
After the war he returned to Ohio and engaged in the manufacture of cigars 
until 1852, at which time he crossed the plains to Oregon, consuming six 
months and using oxen for teams. On the way they had some exciting times with 
the Indians.
On one occasion he was captured while hunting, and the party left him in 
charge of three Indians as guards. Before they returned he had killed two of 
his guards and made his escape on one of the Indian’s horses, which had been 
taken from some murdered man, it being a fine animal.  He was captain of the 
entire train, and aside from the incidents mentioned was enabled to lead it to 
their destination without serious accident.  His first occupation here was 
mining, and then he teamed for the government from Wallula to Boise City until 
1870, when he took a homestead on the Walla Walla river about five miles east 
from Milton, and engaged in farming and stock raising.   A few years since he 
sold out his land and retired, and is now living in a fine place in Milton, 
where he has about two acres planted to choice fruit and highly improved.
	He was married on June 10, 1866, to Miss Lucretia C. Demaris, widow of 
William Demaris, who crossed the plains in 1863 and died here in 1865. To this 
union has been born one child, Lucretia Catherine, married to U. J. Groom, and 
they are living with her parents. Mrs. Emrich had two children by her former 
husband: Eva E., wife of C. J. Moss, of Milton; and Charles E., married and 
living on the old homestead.  Mr. Emrich as always been active in political 
and local matters, laboring for that which was of general benefit and the 
advancement of the county and state. Mr. Emrich participated in all of the 
early Indian wars of this part of the state, during which service he, with all 
others, had to outfit themselves entirely, and for this as well as their 
service the government has never reimbursed them.  One on occasion he and one 
other carried a wounded comrade fifteen miles through territory infested with 
the savages, making their way at night, and thus escaped. He served in Captain 
Robert Williams’ company about 1856 and 1857. By these trying and arduous 
services his health was broken down and he has been unable to perform much 
manual labor since 1866.


Additional Comments:
An Illustrated History of Umatilla County by Colonel William Parsons and of 
Morrow County by W. S. Shiach with a brief outline of the early history of the 
State of Oregon.  W. H. Lever, Publisher  1902.


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