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. 757. DAVID E. TEMPLETON a prominent citizen and an early pioneer of Crook county, is engaged in overseeing his interests in stock raising and farming and in the drug business. He was born in Indiana, on May 4, 1831, the son of William T. and Elizabeth (Ramsey) Templeton. The father was born in Rockbridge county, Virginia, in 1809, and descended from one of the prominent colonial families. The Templetons first came from England and settled in the wilds of the new world with the Jamestown colony. They were identified with the American cause before there was a United States and were sturdy and substantial people. The father moved with his parents to Indiana and settlement was made on a farm in Henry county. ln 1837 he came to Missouri, where he remained until the spring of 1847, then he journeyed across the plains, being accompanied by his wife and nine children of whom our subject was the oldest. They used oxen to make the trip and finally landed in Linn county, where the father took a donation claim and remained until his death. He was one of the leading citizens of the country and became wealthy before he died. The Templeton family was among the first settlers in Virginia, in Indiana and in Linn county, Oregon. The mother of our subject was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, and came with her parents to Indiana when young. There she was married. Her ancestors were of Irish extraction. Our subject received his early education in Missouri and then completed his studies in Rev. Spalding's missionary school in the Willamette valley. He labored on his father's donation claim until of proper age, then took one for himself adjoining. That was his home until 1870, when he came to the vicinity of Prineville and took government land and engaged in stock raising. He soon became one of the large stock owners of the county and now owns five quarter sections and much stock. With his son, he is operating a drug store, under the firm name of Templeton and son. In 1855, Mr. Templeton married Lavinia Pell, who was born in Ohio and came with her father to Missouri in 1852 and then crossed the plains to Oregon. Her parents were Calvin and Mary (McCarren) Pell, pioneers of Oregon. Our subject was county commissioner of Crook county for four years and has always taken a keen interest in political matters. He has always done a great deal to advance the interests of Crook county. He is a man of sterling worth and integrity and is well known in central Oregon. Mr. Templeton and his wife belong to the Presbyterian church, he having joined when he was twenty-one years of age. He started in life with very little funds and in 1849 went to the mines of California where he was very successful. It is of interest to know that our subject was the clerk of the first election held in Linn county. Being then eighteen years of age he distinctly remembers that there were but seventeen votes cast at the election. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in July 2011 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.