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. 532.
 
FRED BLAU

     a prominent, progressive and prosperous farmer of Sherman county, resides
five miles northwest of Wasco. He was born in Saxony, Germany, December 5, 1867,
the son of George and Katherina (Kratzmer) Blau, natives of Germany, where they
died. George Blau, the father was a tailor.
     In 1885 Fred Blau, our subject, came to the United States, and the first
two years were passed in Iowa. In 1887 he came to Sherman county and purchased a
squatter's rights on disputed railroad land. He had no capital, but worked out
for wages and gradually improved his holdings and now he owns one thousand two
hundred acres, over one thousand acres of which are cultivated. He owns, also, a
combination harvester and thresher.
     Mr. Blau was married at Moro, Sherman county, November 28, 1897, to Minnie
Gibson, born in Oregon, the daughter of James Gibson, a native of Pennsylvania.
Our subject has two brothers and one sister ; August, a wagon-maker in Germany ;
Wilhelm, a tailor, in the old country ; and Freda, who is married and living in,
Germany. Julius, another brother, died in San Francisco. Mr. and Mrs. Blau have
one child, Walter. Fraternally Mr. Blau is a member of Sherman Lodge, No. 137,
I. O. O. F., of Wasco, .and the A. O. U. W. Mrs. Blau has five brothers and two
sisters ; Ellsworth, Omar and Lyman, of Walla Walla ; Will, in Wasco ; Charles,
living with his father in Crook county ; Belle, wife of Harold Stanil, of La
Grande ; and Maud, single, and living with her father. Politically Mr. Blau is a
Democrat, although not particularly active. He is an energetic and industrious
business man and one highly esteemed by all.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in April 2009 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.