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. 585.
 
EZRA A. MAY

     one of the prominent citizens of Condon, was born in Brookfield, Wisconsin,
on December 17, 1842, the son of Eli and Elizabeth (Cheney) May, natives of New
York city. The father was a sailor on the lakes, starting when he was sixteen
years of age. He was a sailor on the first sailing vessel on Lake Superior. He
enlisted three times during the Rebellion and served until the war closed. Our
subject received his education, in his native county and when fifteen years of
age, began sailing on Lake Superior where he continued for five seasons. In
August, 1862, he enlisted in the Twenty-eighth Michigan Infantry and served
until November, 1863, when he received a very severe wound in his leg at the
battle of Camel's Station, Tennessee. The wound proved so serious that the limb
was amputated below the knee. Later, he farmed in Michigan and during that time,
cleared up a quarter section of timberland. In 1885, he came west and finally
sought out a location in Gilliam county, taking a half section of land which he
still owns. After getting the farm in good shape, he rented it and moved to
Condon where he has a beautiful residence.
     In Detroit, Michigan, in 1864, Mr. May married Miss Sarah Truesdell. She
was born in Michigan and died there in 1880. Her father was G. Truesdell, a real
estate man in Michigan. On May 11, 1881, Mr. May married Miss Lizzie Smith, who
was born at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, June 16, 1861. Her father, William Smith,
was born in England, in 1832, and is now a farmer in Gilliam county. To our
subject and his first wife the following named children were born: Ezra
Bertrand, Lizzie Winters, Emma Parker, Ida Tuttle, deceased, Florence Read, W.
W., Fred G., Ralph, Harry, Gertrude, Rufus, deceased.
     In politics, Mr. May is a Republican and has been twice city recorder in
Condon. He is a member of the Church of Christ and has always taken a keen
interest in religious works and has always been very generous and liberal in
these things as well as a public minded man. At the present time he has assisted
materially in the construction of a place of worship in Condon and his efforts
are highly appreciated.   Mr. May always takes an active part in conducting
meetings and he is a leading citizen. At the time of the erection of the court
house, Mr. May gave his influence and struggled hard for Condon and much credit
is due him for the fact that the court house was finally located here.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in January 2011 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.