"History of Southern Oregon, Comprising Jackson, Josephine, Douglas, Curry and
Coos Counties.  Compiled from the Most Authentic Sources."  A. G. Walling,
Publisher.  Portland, OR.  1884.  pg. 529.

HON. JAMES F. GAZLEY

     In the gentleman whose name heads this short memoir, we have a happy
combination of lawyer, statesman and a most successful farmer.  He is a man whom
nature fitted in her happy mood with a combination of qualities that could
hardly fail to guide its possessor to success -- qualities which especially fit
him to deal with men.  With manners suave -- a disposition to accommodate, and
generous promptings toward his fellows -- he greets the stranger, the customer,
or the friend, in that peculiar way which carries with it an impression of a
kind wish implied, which seldom fails to leave a desire with the recipient to do
him a favor if he can.  It is a happy faculty, and it gives the possessor what
he deserves, a friendship and respect among men that is bounded only by the
extent of his acquaintance.  Such are the qualities of the gentleman of whom we
write. Mr. Gazley is a native of Courtland county, New York, and first saw the
light of day September 12, 1822, and in that county lived on his father's farm
until the spring of 1840.  He with his parents then moved west, locating in
Bradford county, Penn.  Having the advantage of a good education, he began
reading law, and a few years later was admitted to the bar, in which honorable
profession he continued until the spring of 1849, when he concluded to seek his
fortune in the new Eldorado.  Casting aside Blackstone, with seven companions
and with ox teams, made a safe transit of the Rocky mountains, arriving in
California in the latter part of July 1849.  Mr. Gazley immediately proceeded to
the mines in Shasta county, and embarked in mining for two years with fair
success.  In March 1851, he, with his present near neighbor, John Fullerton,
came to Oregon to purchase cattle with the intention of returning to California;
but on passing through the county where they now reside, they were so favorably
impressed with the advantages presented that they concluded to locate, and at
that early date settled on the fine farm which he now possesses, located at
Canyonville, Douglas county, and engaged in agriculture and stock raising.  In
1852 our subject returned to his old home in Pennsylvania, for the purpose of
bringing out his young wife and son, to their Oregon home.  Mr. G. has always
taken an active part in politics, and in June 1854, was elected to the
territorial legislature, and again elected in 1858.  In 1860 he was elected to
the state senate, and while there used his voice and influence in favor of the
Union cause.  In 1862, Mr. G. was elected to the office of district attorney,
for Douglas, Jackson and Josephine counties, and was twice elected delegate to
carry the presidential electoral vote to Washington.  In 1868 we again find him
representing Douglas county in the state legislature.  In every office that Mr.
Gazley has filled he has always used his best endeavors for the advancement of
his county and for the benefit of the state at large.  It is no flattery to say
he filled them with credit and satisfaction to his constituents and honor to
himself.  Mr. Gazley was united in marriage in Crawford county; Pennsylvania, in
August 1848, to Miss Adaline Adams, a native of that state, by which union they
have five children, viz:  James F., Jr., Clarence, Helen, now Mrs. G. W. Riddle;
Minnie and Elmer.  A view of Mr. Gazley's place will be found in this work.

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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in July 2005 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.