Umatilla County OR Archives Biographies.....Grubbe, James B. May 6, 1847 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Carlene Still crstill@oregontrail.net October 9, 2006, 6:58 am

Author: Colonel William Parsons 

Page 486, 487

James B. Grubbe
	It is not always that which carried the greatest sail that is the 
greatest. The acts of the man, whose life we briefly epitomize now, are such 
as to command the real approbation of every admirer of genuine courage and 
bravery.  His present residence is twenty miles northwest from Pendleton, on 
the south fork of the Cold Spring canyon. He is the son of Benjamin J. and 
Eliza (Ligette) Grubbe, and was born in Missouri May 6, 1847. His parents were 
taken with the reports of the great county west of the rocky range and when he 
was three years old they undertook the arduous job of crossing the plains. 
The 'Forty-nine rush had strewed the way with bones and other debris and so it 
was not at all difficult to ascertain the route. They reached Polk county in 
safety and wintered there, and the next spring went on to Douglas county. That 
was the place of his childhood and there he received a good education, having 
taken a course in the Umpqua Academy at Wilbur, Douglas county. He followed 
farming and school teaching while in that county, except when he was occupied 
in stock driving, which sometimes took him to other portions of the state. On 
some of these excursions he came as far as Umatilla county, having been here 
in 1867 and also in 1874. These trips made him especially familiar with the 
different portions of the state and thus he was enable when seeking a home 
later to come to this favored spot. It was in 1885 that he decided to leave 
the home place and came directly to this county. He took up the land where he 
now lives as a homestead and timber culture and has added another quarter 
section to that. He owns a very fine farm and rents it to tenants and so is 
free to give his time to other pursuits. Mr. Grubbe is deeply interested in 
the church of which he is a member, and also takes an active part in the 
Sunday-school work. He also is active in local affairs and school matters.
	The marriage of Miss Hattie, daughter of Elihu and Alice Billings, to 
Mr. James Grubbe occurred on March 15, 1899. They have one child, Ethel Luetta.
	In the Snake war with the Indians Mr. Grubbe took an active part and 
one that reflects great credit upon him. He was in the engagements where the 
Indians were slaughtered and where the soldiers were forced to do heavy and 
skillful fighting. At one time it became necessary to send a message to Walla 
Walla, and on account of the fierceness with which the reds were keeping up 
the fight there was no one that could be induced to undertake the hazardous 
trip. The wary and watchful Indian cut off every man that became separated 
from the main body. At such a time as this Mr. Grubbe came forward and offered 
his services. He was entrusted with the message and as he bade farewell to his 
comrades and officers not one in the number expected to see him alive again. 
His skill and endurance were equal to his courage and he safely delivered the 
message to the proper officers at Walla Walla. A book could be written 
detailing the experiences of this scout from the time he left his officers in 
the field until he came to the post at Walla Walla. Suffice it to say that the 
deed was one of those that are not heralded but have the true ring of merit in 
them.

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.

	Notice: These biographies were transcribed for the Oregon Biographies 
Project. Unless otherwise stated, no further information is available on the
individual featured in the biographies. 


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