Gaston, Joseph.  "The Centennial History of Oregon, 1811-1912."  Vol. 2. 
Chicago, Clarke Publishing Co., 1912. p. 736.
 
BRUCE F. PURDY

     president of the Gaston State Bank and owner of one of the valuable farms
of Washington county, is a native son of Oregon, born at Salem, October 16,
1854.  His father, Aaron Purdy, was born in Pennsylvania in 1806.  He was
married in Ohio, and in 1847 started with his wife for the Pacific coast.  They
began the journey by wagon and ox team and joined a large party which crossed
the plains, continuing in one body until they arrived at the Meek Cut-Off.  Here
they party divided, many of the home-seekers going to California, while others,
with Mr. Purdy and his wife, came to Oregon.  He located on a donation claim of
six hundred and forty acres, six miles below Salem and continued there until
1861, when he disposed of his land and moved to Waitsburg, near Walla Walla.  He
was a farmer and miller and engaged in the milling business at the place last
named.  He was a true-hearted and deserving man who nobly assisted in redeeming
the unoccupied land of the northwest tot the uses of civilization.  At the time
of the Yakima Indian war he served as a member of the Home Guards and always
willingly responded to any call from those less favorably situated than himself.
He died at Waitsburg in 1866.  The maiden name of the mother of our subject was
Belinda Bucklew.  She was born in Virginia in 1810 and died near Dilley, in
Washington county, Oregon, in 1893, having reached an age of about eighty-three
years.  Mr. Purdy of this review is the youngest of seven children, the others
being; John and Edward, both of whom are deceased; Hannah, who married M. L.
Savage, of Salem, and died leaving a husband and two children; Eleanor, who is
the wife of E. J. Harding, of Gervais, Marion county; Jasper, who made his home
at The Dalles and died leaving a wife and two children; Augusta M., who married
G. W. Smith, of The Dalles.
     The public schools of Salem provided opportunity for the early education of
Bruce F. Purdy.  After arriving at maturity he went to Goldendale, Washington,
east of the mountains, and took up a land claim, and engaged in farming and
stock-raising.  He became quite prominent in his county and after a residence of
twelve years at Goldendale was elected to the state legislature, occupying a
seat in that body in the winter of 1890-91.  After the close of the session he
came to Washington county and purchased a farm near Forest Grove, which he
cultivated to good advantage.  He was also elected to the state legislature from
this county and performed his duties in a way that met the hearty approval of
his constituents.  In 1896 he associated with others in building the Gaston
Flour Mills and had charge of the mills for six years, his administration
producing highly satisfactory results.  He then purchased a farm of six hundred
and forty acres, known as the Thomas Roe farm, upon which he now resides.  This
is a well improved property and its value has been still further enhanced by the
erection of a beautiful home which Mr. Purdy has just completed.  He keeps about
thirty-five cows and is extensively interested in the dairy business as well as
in general farming.  He was one of the organizers and is president of the Gaston
State Bank, and is recognized as one of the foremost citizens of this region in
the promotion of its permanent interests.
     On October 17, 1880, Mr. Purdy was married at Goldendale to Miss Cora
A.McCune, who was born in Sedalia, Missouri, and came to Oregon with her
parents.  Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Purdy, namely:  Gertrude,
deceased; Nellie, who is the wife of George Newman, of McMinnville, Oregon;
Emma, at home; Clifton, who lives in the Imperial valley, California; Lois,
Alta, Bruce, Sidney and Helen, all of whom are at home.  Mr. Purdy has ever
since he arrived at voting age given his support to the republican party.  In
addition to membership in the state legislature he has served as a member of the
school board and as road commissioner.  Fraternally he is identified with the
Masonic order, the Knights of Pythias and the United Artisans.  He is a firm
believer in the authority and inspiration of the Old and New Testaments and is a
member of the bible Students Association.  He has always taken an active part in
advancing the welfare of any community in which he has lived.  Being a man of
independent judgment, he does not hesitate to act upon his own opinions and as
he possesses good discriminative powers he has been usually fortunate in
business.  He in known as entirely fair and honorable in his dealings and
notwithstanding the active part he has taken in public and business affairs, his
integrity has never been questioned.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in August 2006 by Diana Smith. Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.