"Portrait & Biographical Record of the Willamette Valley Oregon."  Chicago:
Chapman Publishing Company, 1903. pp. 1197-1198.

ABRAM SAMUEL LOCKE

	ABRAM SAMUEL LOCKE is one of the most prominent druggists of Independence,
and the success which he has achieved in his chosen calling is due to his
determined energy and his close application to business. He is a native of
Oregon, having been born two and one-half miles from Independence, August 6,
1858. His father, Harrison P. Locke, was born near Cumberland Gap, Va., October
12, 1812, and in an early day removed to Missouri, settling in Chariton county.
In 1845 he crossed the plains to Oregon and afterwards was in the service of the
Hudson Bay Company, on the Columbia river. In 1849 he went to California and
entered the mines. In 1850 he returned to Oregon and in 1852 took up a donation
claim of six hundred and forty acres of land. In 1881 he removed to
Independence, Ore., and there his death occurred in 1883. He was a successful
business man and ever commanded the respect of all who knew him. His wife, whose
maiden name was Malissa P. Hardison was born in Springfield, 111., and still
survives her husband. They were the parents of fourteen children, eight boys and
six girls, A. S. Locke of this review being the fourth in order of birth. The
mother of this family is now the wife of James Masterson, who is living retired
in Independence.
	A. S. Locke was educated in the common schools of Independence. In 1889 he
bought out a drug business in this city and in 1891 became a registered
druggist. In 1892 he sold his business and removed to San Diego, Cal., on
account of his wife's health. In 1894 he returned to Independence and the same
year purchased a stock of groceries. On November 6, 1896, he bought a drug
business and has been successfully conducting the same since. He carries a full
and complete line of staple and fancy articles and the neat and attractive
appearance of his store has won for him the reputation of being one of the best
druggists in this city. Mr. Locke was married in Independence in 1881, to Susan
Mary Alexander, who was born in Missouri and who crossed the plains with her
parents in 1865. Her father, James Alexander, was born in Kentucky, and is now
living retired in this city. His active years were spent in the occupation of
farming, in which line of work he was very successful and became well-to-do.
	The home of Mr. and Mrs. Locke has been blessed with one son, Oliver Perle,
aged sixteen years, who is still at home with his parents. Mr. Locke is a member
of the First Baptist Church of Independence. In his political views he is a
Democrat. He is a prominent member of the Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons,
being past master of the Blue Lodge, a member of the Royal Arch Chapter, and
Oregon Consistory No. 1, of Portland Scottish Rite and Al Kader Temple N. M. S.
In the Independent Order of Odd Fellows he is noble grand, and belongs to the
Woodmen of the World, and to the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is now
acting as school director and is president of the city council. He has an
elegant two-story, ten-room residence on Fifth street which is constructed in a
modern and beautiful style of architecture. Mr. Locke is a popular and public
spirited gentleman who has at heart the best interests of the community in which
he lives, and the high regard of his friends and associates.

     
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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in June 2009 by Jenny Tenlen.  If you are
interested in more information on the Alexander family of Polk Co., Oregon,
please contact Jenny by email at: jtenlen -at- drizzle.com.