Umatilla County OR Archives Biographies.....Piper, William 1827 - 
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Carlene Still crstill@oregontrail.net August 1, 2006, 5:35 am

Author: Colonel William Parsons 

Page 376, 377

WILLIAM PIPER
	One of the earliest of the explorers of the west, a pioneer of the 
pioneers, intimately acquainted with every phase of frontier life, the worthy 
and well-known citizen whose name initiates this article justly deserves 
especial mention in this volume as a leader of civilization, a promoter of 
development, and a defender on the bloody field of Indian warfare, of the 
unprotected pioneer and his family.  From the start his life has been one 
continuous round of energetic activity, beset with hardships and obstacles, 
before which, one with less fortitude and intrepidity, would have succumbed 
and sunk out of the struggle.  Fate knows well where to bestow her trials, for 
with ever rising tide against him, there developed an indomitable courage and 
resolute purpose of triumph.
	He was born in New York state in 1827, and left an orphan while yet an 
infant, being consigned to the care of a stranger, who took him to raise.  
With this foster parent he came to Illinois at seven years of age, and 
continued in his service until fifteen, when he left him and began the world 
alone.  He sought employment there until 1849, when the tidings of 
California’s wealth drew him across the plains, going barefooted and walking 
much of the way.  In the Eldorado of the west he engaged in mining with only a 
meager success, but clung to it until 1861.  During this time he enlisted 
under Captain Bob Williams and engaged in the Rogue river Indian war, where he 
took part in some bloody fights.  He was in the battle when the famous Indian 
chief Joe was killed.  After this he turned to the mines around Florence, 
Idaho, and was also through the Big Bend country in Washington and at the 
Cariboo mines in British Columbia.   After he had become satisfied with 
touring and explorations he settled down to farming near Walla Walla for three 
years and then came to this county in 1871.   He took up a homestead and 
timber culture claim near where he now lives, three and one-half miles east 
from Helix, and has continuously resided here since, giving his attention to 
farming.  He has wisely and successfully operated, for he now owns eight 
hundred acres of fertile wheat land that brings him in about thirty bushels 
per acres annually.
	His marriage occurred in December, 1874, when Miss Carnelia, daughter 
of J. G. and Elizabeth Myers, became his wife.  Five children now living have 
been born to them, Oscar, George, Anna, Ella, William and two who are dead, 
Bertie and Lizzie.  Mr. Piper has always taken the active part of a good 
citizen in all political and local matters and school affairs, where he has 
shown that same wisdom and love for the right that have constantly 
characterized his course.  Upon the fine large estate that he has acquired, he 
has reared a first class residence and all other improvements as outbuildings, 
orchards, etc., that are becoming its mammoth proportions and necessary for it 
successful operation.  While the golden years are stealing on apace, still Mr. 
Piper manifests, in the manipulation of his extensive affairs, a remarkable 
activity, fully commensurate with his pristine energy, while he enjoys that 
respect and considera-tion from his fellow citizens that the wisdom of his 
riper years fully merits.  So has the orphan from the Atlantic seaboard become 
the adviser and leader in this realm, which he so nobly fought to wrest from 
the thraldom of the savage, and where the brightness of his prestige is only 
enhanced by the real luster of an untarnished practical life.  


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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