Clark, Robert Carlton, Ph.D. "History of the Willamette Valley Oregon."  Vol. 3.
Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company, 1927. p. 597.
 
SAMUEL H. McELMURRY

     Among the enterprising farmers and public-spirited citizens of Polk county,
none is held in higher esteem than Samuel H. McElmurry, whose well improved and
productive farm lies near Independence. He was born in Izard county, Arkansas,
on the 6th of July, 1850. and is a son of Isaac and Rebecca Jane (Jones)
McElmurry, the former of whom was a native of Missouri and the latter of
Tennessee. In 1869 the father decided to go to South America and took his family
as far as New Orleans, where a banker friend persuaded him that Oregon offered
the best inducements for settlement. He accepted the advice and, coming by way
of the Isthmus of Panama, arrived at Portland, May 23, 1869. He came to Polk
county and bought three hundred and thirty acres of land on the Luckiamute,
eight miles south of Independence, where he engaged in farming. As he prospered
he bought more land and at the time of his death he was the owner of sixteen
hundred acres, divided into several farms, on which he raised large crops of
hay, wheat and oats. He lived in Polk county during nearly all of his life, but
passed away in Linn county, January 6, 1904. His wife died September 30, 1919.
They were the parents of eight children, as follows: Samuel H., of this review;
Henry, who lives in Albany, this state; Mrs. Elizabeth Compton, deceased; Mrs.
Martha Compton, also deceased; Mrs. Allie Curry, a resident of Albany; Mrs.
Sophronia Alexander, who lives on a ranch near Independence; Mrs. Nannie
Cauthorn, who makes her home in Albany; and one who died in infancy.
      Samuel H. McElmurry attended the public schools of Arkansas and after
coming to Oregon entered the Christian College at Monmouth, where he was
graduated. He assisted his father on the home farm until his marriage in 1875,
when he bought one hundred and twenty acres of land on the American bottom, in
Polk county, which place he farmed for four years. Selling that tract, he then
leased one of his father's ranches near Independence and operated it for ten
years, at the end of which time he moved to Wells, Benton county, where he ran
one of his father's ranches for three years. He then returned to Polk county and
settled on the farm where he now lives. At his father's death, he inherited two
hundred and thirty acres, which he now cultivates and on which he raises
splendid crops of grain and hay. He also keeps thirty head of pure-bred Lincoln,
ewes, a few cows and three horses, and follows modern methods in his farming
operations. In 1913 he built the attractive house in which he lives, and the
substantial and commodious barn was erected in 1910, all of the buildings being
maintained in the best possible condition, so that the place presents a very
attractive appearance.
     On September 5, 1875, Mr. McElmurry was united in marriage to Miss America
A. Crabtree, who was born near Scio, Linn county, Oregon, in 1860, and is a
daughter of William and Elizabeth (Sumpter) Crabtree, both of whom were born at
Independence, Missouri. Mr. Crabtree brought his family to Oregon in 1841 and
located on a donation claim of six hundred and forty acres near Scio, where he
engaged in farming during his remaining active years. During the earlier years
he raised large numbers of cattle and sheep but later turned his attention to
grain. To him and his wife were bom seven children, namely: Mrs. Josephine Rose,
a resident of Tacoma, Washington; Mrs. Ollie Smith, deceased; America A., now
Mrs. McElmurry; Mrs. Renie Mary, of Lebanon, Oregon; Mrs. Amanda Malcolm, of
Dayton, Washington; John, who lives in Spokane, Washington; and Mrs. Minnie
Sanders, who resides at Bend, this state. Mrs. McElmurry's maternal grandfather,
Alexander Sumpter, was born in Tennessee in 1810 and in 1817
accompanied his family to Indiana. In 1831 he moved to Missouri and in 1834 in
Wisconsin, was married to Miss Nancy Prather. In 1853 he came to Linn county,
Oregon, crossing the plains with ox teams and covered wagons, and soon after his
arrival here he took up a donation claim of three hundred and twenty acres of
land six miles south of Scio. He engaged in farming and lived there until 1872,
when he sold out and went to eastern Oregon, residing there and in Washington
and Idaho until shortly before his death, which occurred in Linn county, Oregon,
about 1900. He served in the Black Hawk Indian war and was a typical pioneer.
His wife died in 1880.
     To Mr. and Mrs. McElmurry have been born seven children, namely: Isaac and
Elizabeth, both of whom are deceased; Henry, who remains at home and assists his
father in the operation of the farm; Cleveland, deceased; Oren, who is married
and has a daughter, Nellie Ann, born October 18, 1924; Verdi and Leo, twins,
both of whom are deceased. Oren was one of the first to enter the United States
Army during the World war, having enlisted in 1914 in the Twenty-sixth Regiment
of Oregon Infantry, with which he served until the close of the war. He was
overseas fourteen months, serving in die ordnance supply department, and was
gassed and had several narrow escapes on the fighting front. As a result of his
experiences there, he has had very poor health ever since. He and his brother
Henry are members of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Independence, to
which their father also belongs. Mr. and Mrs., McElmurry are members of the
Daughters of Rebekah.
     Mr. McElmurry has taken an active interest in public affairs of his
community, having served eight years as clerk of the school board and the same
length of time as road supervisor. Though advanced in years, he retains to a
remarkable degree his vitality and his interest in the events of the day, and
has long been regarded as one of the best citizens of the community, his
consistent and upright life having gained for him me respect and good will of
all who know him.


     
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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in August 2011 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.