Clark, Robert Carlton, Ph.D. "History of the Willamette Valley Oregon."  Vol. 2.
Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company, 1927. p. 52.
 
CECIL J. ESPY
 
     Cecil J. Espy, one of the officers of the First National Bank of Woodburn,
also figures conspicuously in financial affairs of Donald and is a product of
the Pacific northwest, representing- honored pioneer families of Oregon and
Washington. He is a native of the latter state, born in Pacific county, in 1887.
His father, R. H. Espy, crossed the plains in 1852, when a young man of
twenty-six, and in the following year located at Oysterville, Washington, where
he was the first white settler. He was endowed with keen powers of discernment
and played a leading part in the development of the oyster industry in this
region. His operations were conducted on an extensive scale and during the last
twenty years of his life he was connected with The Morgan Oyster Company of San
Francisco but maintained his home in Oysterville, passing away in September,
1918. His wife, Julia A. (Jefferson) Espy, was born in Marion county, Oregon,
and died in 1901. She was a daughter of Delos Jefferson, who journeyed to Marion
county in 1843 and settled on a donation claim situated about eight miles east
of the present site of Brooks and twelve miles northeast of Salem.
 
     In the acquirement of an education Cecil J. Espy attended the public
schools of Washington and his studies were completed in the University of Oregon
at Eugene. Going to Nevada, he engaged in mining in that state for a year and
then located near Champoeg, Oregon, where he followed agricultural pursuits for
five years. On the expiration of that period he aided in organizing the First
State Bank of Donald, of which he was made cashier in 1916, and is now its
president. Mr. Espy has labored systematically and effectively to upbuild the
institution, displaying keen sagacity in the administration of its affairs, and
in 1924 he became one of the stockholders of the First National Bank of
Woodburn, established January 3, 1921. It is the outgrowth of the Security State
Bank, successor to the Farmers & Mechanics Bank, which was organized in 1907.
Since 1924 Mr. Espy has been cashier of the First National Bank of Woodburn, of
which Keith Powell is the president and Eugene Courtney the vice president. It
is the only national bank in the town and has resources of over two hundred and
seventy-five thousand dollars. The institution is stable and reliable and its
officers are experienced financiers  of high standing.
 
     In 1910 Mr. Espy married Miss Ruth K. Davis, of San Francisco, California,
and they now have four children: Cecil J. Jr., Katherine Ann, John Carroll and
Barbara. They reside in an attractive home at Woodburn and Mr. Espy is also the
owner of a productive ranch near Donald. He is a Knight Templar Mason and
Shriner and gives his political allegiance to the republican party, being also
one of the city council of Woodburn. He has taken cognizance of his
opportunities, utilizing them to good advantage, and his career has been crowned
with success and marked by the appreciation of those men whose esteem is worth
having.

     
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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in June 2016 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.