"An Illustrated history of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties : with a
brief outline of the early history of the state of Oregon." Chicago?: Western
Historical Pub. Co., 1902.  Page 596.  Malheur County.

CYRUS T. LOCEY

     The subject of this sketch has the distinction of being one of the earliest
pioneers of the state of Oregon as well as among the earliest in Malheur county,
and he was one of the capable men who assisted in the organization of the county
and has labored her for its upbuilding since that time, being now one of the
venerable and highly esteemed citizens.  The birth of Cyrus T. occurred on
September 18, 1835, at Mineral Point, Wisconsin, being the son of A. R. T. and
Alice H. (Howell) Locey, the father having the degree of M. D.  While a child he
was taken by his parents to Platteville, and then to Lancaster, in his native
state, the father being county clerk in the latter place for a series of years,
and there also the mother died in 1842.  Thence they removed to Galesburg,
Illinois, and then on to St. Joseph, Missouri, and in April, 1846, they started
with ox teams across the plains, going direct to Oregon City, which place they
reached in six months.  The father settled on a farm and Mrs. P. H. Hatch, our
subject's sister, taught the first school in Oregon City, the same being in
1846-7.  In the gold excitement of 1849 the family removed to Coloma,
California, and there the father operated a drug store and hospital, that being
the place where the gold was first discovered.  In the fall of 1850 the family,
consisting of the father, stepmother, one sister, one brother and our subject
via the Nicaragua route to New Orleans and thence to the old home in Galesburg,
Illinois.  These were the first white women that ever traveled that route.  In
the spring of 1852 they came across the plains again with ox teams to Oregon
City, and the following year the father died.  For seven years subsequent to
this event our subject went to school in the winter and worked at steamboating
in the summer on the Willamette.  On January 1, 1860, Mr. Locey married Miss
Maria, daughter of James and Susana Morfitt.  The parents were natives of
England and came to the United States in 1841 and crossed the plains from
Illinois with ox teams in 1847.  For twelve years subsequent to his marriage Mr.
Locey followed steamboating and also operated a mule railroad from Canemah to
Oregon City, going thus around the falls in the river at that point.  He had the
distinction of transporting during this time ex-vice-president Colfax and other
dignitaries.  In 1872 Mr. Locey left the Willamette valley and came to Willow
creek, and in 1877 located on his present place, three miles east from
Ironsides.  He has a fine estate of six hundred and forty acres, which produces
abundant crops of hay, and is well improved, having a good residence and
commodious barns.  Mr. Locey raises much stock, principally cattle and horses.
He has been notary public for several years and in 1880 and 1890 he was census
enumerator.
     To Mr. Locey and his estimable wife there have been born the following
children:  Clarence T., deceased; Charles W., deceased; Julian D., who was
elected sheriff of this county in 1898 and was re-elected in 1900 by a large
majority, but died on June 27, 1901, before his term had expired; Addie M., wife
of James Lackey, of Ontario, Oregon; Susie C.; Mary B., a teacher in the public
schools, being a graduate of Monmouth Normal school; James E., married to Hattie
Derrick; Cyrus C., deceased; Frederick E.  Mr. and Mrs. Locey are devout
followers of the faith of the Scriptures and hold their church fellowship with
the Methodists.  In educational matters Mr. Locey is active and has discharged
the duties of clerk of the school board with credit for several years.  When the
county was organized Mr. Locey was chosen one of the commissioners, it being a
very responsible office at that time.
     He has a very distinct recollection of seeing Dr. Marcus Whitman, a noted
pioneer and Christian missionary to this country in the earliest days, and who
brought the first wagon train over the Rockies.  The Doctor stopped with the
father of our subject on one occasion and took super with them.

*******************

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