Shaver, F. A., Arthur P. Rose, R. F. Steele, and A. E. Adams, compilers.  "An
Illustrated History of Central Oregon." ("Embracing Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam,
Wheeler, Crook, Lake, & Klamath Counties")  Spokane, WA: Western Historical
Publishing Co., 1905.  p. 515.
 
BRUNO F. MEDLER

     one of the most substantial farmers and prominent citizens of Sherman
county, lives three and one-half miles northeast of Wasco. He was born in
Germany, October 2, 1839, the son of Henry and Doris (Sense) Medler, Germans.
Henry, who was born in Brunswick, Prussia, was for many years engaged in the
manufacture of jewelry in Magdeburg, near Berlin. He died in Cincinnati, Ohio,
where he was employed in jewelry work for many years. At this trade he was very
expert doing the finest kind of diamond setting, enameling, etc. The mother,
born at Magdeburg, died in Sherman county in 1883. The couple came to the United
States in 1847 when our subject was nearly six years old. They lived in New York
city two years. Here our subject attended the public schools. When sixteen years
of age he, with his brother, John, were apprenticed to G. R. Downing & Sons,
manufacturers of jewelry on Maiden Lane. Our subject only served one, while the
brother served two, years. Close confinement undermined their health and
physicians advised the father to place them on a farm. He purchased one in West
Virginia. The father, who had rented this land three years previously, returned
to New York city and remained three years, going back to West Virginia. Until
1876 Bruno remained on the farm, going thence to Walla Walla, Washington,
accompanied by his half brother who had settled in the Walla Walla country in
1861. Our subject brought his family with him and they lived with the
half-brother, Julius Wiesick, four years. From Walla Walla Mr. Medler came to
Sherman county in 1880. He filed on a pre-emption claim, purchased three quarter
sections of railroad land and engaged in the business of raising wheat. He
harvested his first crop in 1881÷sixty acres. Although he had, practically, no
capital, he gradually increased his holdings. The half-brother came to Sherman
county and, also secured land, which he sold to C. C. Huck, a sketch of whom
appears in another column. Julius Weisick died at Grant, Sherman county.
     At present our subject owns two thousand six hundred and twenty acres which
is, mostly, devoted to wheat. Some of this land he rents, but the greater
portion of it is farmed by his sons. His residence is a comfortable two-story
house, surrounded with many shade trees and four acres of orchard. He is now
retired, passing most of the summer months in his garden in which he takes
especial pride. It is freely irrigated, and he grows the finest quality of fruit
and vegetables. He is a partner with J. Marsh, firm of Marsh & Medler, in Wasco,
and ,he has other commercial interests in town.
     Near Huntington, West Virginia, November 26, 1864, our subject was united
in marriage to Minerva J. McLavey, born in West Virginia. Her parents,
originally from Pennsylvania, were born in America. She is the daughter of David
and Mary McLavey, the mother a native of Pennsylvania. They both died in West
Virginia on the old home place. Our subject has one brother, John, mentioned
elsewhere. Mr. and Mrs. Medler have eight children living ; Julius with subject;
Albert and Walter, renting two sections of subject's land ; Frederick, at home ;
Fannie E., wife of John Hood, near Walla Walla, Washington, a member of the Hood
family historically prominent in the annals of Walla Walla county ; Mollie, wife
of Elvin Barnum, mentioned in another column ; Ida, wife of Howard Woolen, who
rents one-half section of land from our subject ; May, single, and residing at
home. Henrietta died in 19o2 at Moro. She was the wife of William Herricks,
ex-county clerk and assessor of Sherman county.
     Politically, Mr. Medler is a Democrat, and takes an active part in the
campaigns of his party. He has frequently been delegate to Democratic county
conventions and has served one term as county commissioner before the cutting
off of Sherman county. He at one time was a candidate for the legislature but
was defeated. Of late years he has given little attention to politics.
     The paternal ancestors of Mr. Medley came of a race of skilled mechanics.
His great-grandfather was a saddler to the Duke of Brunswick. Personally he is a
popular man and a progressive, influential citizen.
     Mr. Medley operated the first header and thresher in the territory now
embraced in Sherman county. In 1881 he cut and threshed all the wheat and other
small grain grown between the John Day and the Des Chutes rivers.

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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in July 2007 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.