Umatilla County OR Archives Biographies.....Proebstel, Hon. George W. March 16, 1842 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Carlene Still crstill@oregontrail.net July 31, 2006, 3:22 pm

Author: Colonel William Parsons 

Page 344, 345

HON. GEORGE W. PROEBSTEL  
	To this esteemed and patriotic citizen and successful business man we 
are pleased to accord representation in this volume, both because of his 
personal ability and achievements in the industrial world, as well as for his 
prominence in the political arena, having also maintained throughout his long 
career in this and adjacent counties a life of unsullied reputation and a high 
standing for morality and integrity.
	His birth occurred in Clay county, Missouri, on March 16, 1842, being 
the son of Jacob and Margaret Proebstel. Ten years later he came across the 
plains with his parents, who settled in Clarke county, Washington. Their trip 
from Missouri to this state was attended with much hardship and danger, their 
oxen giving out, which necessitated much traveling on foot, and then their 
rations became shortened. However, they reached their destination without the 
loss of life or limb. In the Indian uprising of 1855-6 our subject did active 
service in the Washington Rifles, equipping and feeding himself, and has never 
received a cent for this service from the government. In 1863 he turned to the 
mines in Idaho for five years, and then came back to his home and took up a 
homestead, giving himself to tilling and improving the same until 1878, when 
he removed to Weston. At this place he became interest in a large flouring 
mill, which burned to the ground four years later. After this heavy loss he 
entered the hardware business, in which he has achieved a fine success, having 
gained by his honest and upright methods of business, as well as his 
geniality, a large and continuously increasing trade. He has ever taken an 
active interest in the affairs of the county and the town, serving frequently 
in public office, where his ability and faithfulness have endeared him to his 
constituency. He is also director and vice-president of the Bank of Weston, 
having given invaluable service to that institution.
	His marriage occurred on August 10, 1865; when Miss Mary A. 
Dauphoofer, who crossed the plains with her parents in 1854, became his wife. 
To them have been born the following children: George, married to Miss Jennie 
Thompson and living in Weston; Lillian, widow of W. S. Fredericks; Lewis C. 
and Charles A., member of Company D, Second Oregon Volunteers, who did valiant 
service for their country in the Philippines during the late Spanish war; 
Christine; Margaret; Albert; Grace. Mr. Proebstel was called by the people to 
act as state senator in 1898, serving through the special session of that 
year, the regular session of 1899 and also the present session. That 
faithfulness, wisdom and enterprise, so characteristic of the man, were 
brought out in this excellent service which did credit to the incumbent of the 
office and was a delight to the constituency. He is a member of the Blue Lodge 
of Masons, the A. O. U. W. and the Pioneers of the Pacific. By way of 
reminiscence, it is well to state that during the first winter in the west Mr. 
Proebstel distinctly remembers that their diet consisted of wheat straight, 
such were the hardships of the early pioneers. His educational advantages were 
very small, but what was lacking in opportunity he made up in diligence and 
application, both during those short days and subsequently.  From the 
courageous boy, without either capital or education, by dint of hard work and 
pluck has arisen the lawmaker and the business man of affluence. 


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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