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. 617.
 
FRANK B. STEVENS

     who was born in Illinois, on December 6, 1855, is now one of the leading
citizens of Gilliam county, and resides about fifteen miles southeast from
Condon. He has a magnificent estate of over two thousand acres and a fine herd
of one hundred and fifty graded Shorthorns. The place is well improved and
supplied with everything to handle a good farm and a first-class stock ranch.
Mr. Stevens has shown an enterprise and skill in his labors that are justly
rewarded by the prosperity he enjoys. Osias C. Stevens, the father of our
subject, was born in New Hampshire, in 1809. He was a carpenter and architect
and in 1835 went to New York, whence he journeyed later to Illinois, which was
the family home until 1860. Then he went to Colorado county, Texas, until 1865,
when he moved to Marshall, Texas, and a year later came via the isthmus to The
Dalles, Oregon, arriving there on March 18, 1867. For four years he remained in
that place then moved to Lone Rock, and six years later returned to The Dalles,
which was his home until his death on September 1, 1894. He was a devoted man
and a great worker in the church from the time he was fourteen years old until
his death. For forty successive years he read the Bible from Genesis to
Revelation, each year. This made him a remarkably well posted man, and being of
a missionary spirit he did very much in spreading the gospel and building up the
churches. On May 2, 1849, he married Miss Harriett N. Gould. who was born in
Zanesville, Ohio, on October 30, 1831. She is living with our subject and is a
remarkably well preserved lady for her age. Frank B. was educated largely after
coming to The Dalles, Oregon, owing to the fact that there was not much chance
for schooling in the south on account of the war. On May 14, 1870, he began to
work for wages, continuing for six years. Then he and his brother, Charles B.,
took cattle on shares and continued steadily on in that business until they
owned four hundred head. On May 27, 1896, they dissolved partnership and our
subject retained the place where he now lives, and also some of the stock. Since
then he has given especial attention to handling his herds and his estate and
the result is that he is one of the wealthy men of Gilliam county.
     On November 17, 1892, Mr. Stevens married Miss Lillian Rohrer, who was born
in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, on March 28, 1861. Mrs. Lillian R. Stevens taught five
years in the public schools of Illinois and in November, 1887, came west to
Oregon and in this state she has taken a leading part in public school work. She
assisted materially to grade the schools of Grant and Gilliam counties and has
served ten years on the teachers' examining board of Gilliam county. She also
enjoys the distinction of being the only woman ever placed in nomination on the
Republican ticket for school superintendent of this county. She holds a life
diploma from the state of Oregon and has been a leading educator. Mrs. Stevens
owns a half section of land in this county which she leases. She also owns much
suburban property in Portland, including some three-acre tracts, and twenty-five
lots. Politically she is a strong Republican and has always been enthusiastic in
the campaigns. She belongs to the Eastern Star order, and is a prominent and
highly esteemed lady. Her father, John Rohrer, was born in Shawneetown,
Illinois, on October 22, 1817. He was an extensive stock raiser and land owner
and died on December 5, 1885, in Jefferson county. Illinois, on the home farm,
where all his children were born and reared. He had married on May 2. 1848,
Margaret Warren, also a native of Shawneetown, Illinois, the date of her birth
being October 27, 1825, and she died on October 30. 1894. Mr. Stevens has two
brothers, Charles B., and Alonzo C., stockmen in this county. To Mr. and Mrs.
Stevens was born on December 10. 1894, John Caswell, who died the same day. He
was buried in the family lot in Sunset cemetery, The Dalles, Oregon.
     Mr. Stevens is a member of the W. W., the Maccabees and the A. F. & A. M.,
belonging both to the Blue Lodge and the Royal Arch degree of the latter order.
He is also a member of the Eastern Star. In politics, Mr. Stevens is a strong
Republican and active. When he first came here, there were but four families in
this region and the nearest postoffice was John Day Bridge, sixty miles away.
Their trading had to be done at The Dalles, which was one hundred miles distant.
Those pioneer days saw much hardship and much arduous labor, but our subject was
equal to the occasion and is to be classed as one of the builders of the
country.
     Mr. Stevens is one of the best posted men in the historical events of the
country to be found within the precincts of this county. His memory of dates is
especially accurate and he has taken a great interest in these affairs and has
perfected himself in it to a marked degree.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in November 2010 by Diana Smith.
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.