Cowlitz-Statewide County WA Archives Obituaries.....Horsley, Virgil Eldred     January 5, 2006
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
P. J. Stepp steppmom5@hotmail.com April 13, 2006, 1:46 am

Published in The Daily News on 1/8/2006. 


4/20/10-1/05/06 

Virgil Eldred Horsley was born April 20, 1910 in Marshall, IL. to John and Nora 
Horsley. In 1919 the family moved west to homestead in Montana. Virgil's trip 
was made inside a barrel on a rented immigrant railcar. He was warned to be 
quiet or he would be left behind. As the barrel rolled about Virgil was cut 
with a nail, so he had a trip that was never forgotten. Virgil was quite 
excited to get to the homestead in Montana because he was told there were wild 
horses running all over the hills. This was partly true as there were few 
fences so horses & cows freely grazed over the hills near their new homestead. 
At a young age, Virgil became an accomplished horseman. People traveling by 
would see a small boy with flowing long hair, riding a horse with no saddle or 
bridle, going like the wind and would assume it was an Indian boy instead it 
was Virgil on his horse "Axe". In 1927 Virgil went to work at the OW Ranch near 
Decker, Montana. Through the great depression for extra money he broke horse at 
$5.00 a head. The best horses were sold to the U.S. Calvary. It was at the OW 
Ranch where Virgil met Ruth Reavis the daughter of Tom Reavis the ranch 
foreman. The two were married in 1929 and had three children, Gary, Tom and 
Celeste. In 1937 the Virgil Horsley family including their favorite horses, 
moved west and settled in Delameter Valley near Castle Rock, WA. Once in 
Washington, Virgil began logging with horses until 1948 when machines began to 
replace the horses. Virgil and family began a logging and road construction 
business which is still in operation today as 3X Bar, Inc. Virgil and Ruth 
passed their love of horses on to their children and grandchildren. The Horsley 
farm was a busy, fun place for the grandchildren and friends. In 1994, Virgil 
and Ruth moved to Dayton, Wyoming until Ruth passed away in 2004. After Ruth's 
death, Virgil moved back to Washington to be with his family. He spent many of 
his last days visiting various work sites, watching the action. Virgil was 
always interested in the business. Virgil was preceded in death by his parents, 
his wife Ruth, daughter Celeste, 5 brothers, 1 sister, 1 grandson Steve, 1 
great grandson Jeremy. A special thanks to Nori and staff at the Villager for 
making Virgil's later life comfortable and well cared for. Thanks to Dr. Bogin, 
Dr. Chesley, Michelle Horsley, PeaceHealth, Northwest Continuum, and Hospice. 

Please sign the guest book at www.tdn.com/obits 

 


Additional Comments:
The Daily News, Longview Wa  www.tdn.com

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