Clark, Robert Carlton, Ph.D. "History of the Willamette Valley Oregon." Vol. 3. Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company, 1927. p. 216. FRED G. FELLER Among the native sons of Switzerland who have become residents of the Willamette Valley and have here created good homes and achieved worthy success, one of the most prominent is Fred G. Feller, whose well improved farm lies seven miles south of Salem, in Marion county. Born in Canton Berne, Switzerland, in 1863, he is a son of Frederick and Anna Feller, who were natives of that country and there died. The father followed farming, owning land which is still in possession of one of his daughters. There were ten children in the family of which number six are living, namely: Fred G., of this review; Lena and Fannie, both of whom live in Switzerland; Ulysses, who lives in Indiana; Alfred, of Tacoma, Washington; and Ernest, who is engaged in business in Geneva, Switzerland. Fred G. Feller acquired a good education, attending the public schools of Switzerland and France and learning both the French and German languages. He assisted his father on the home farm until 1885, when he emigrated to the United States, settling first in Ohio, where he was employed as a farm hand. He later spent about a year in Kansas and Missouri, and, in March, 1890, came to the Willamette Valley. For awhile he worked out in Marion county, and later helped to construct the first steel bridge across the Willamette river at Salem. In 1891 Mr. Feller bought eight acres of land near Salem, cleared it of the timber and brush which covered it, built a house and barn, and planted an orchard, developing it into a good farm. However it was too small to suit him and in 1899 he sold and leased three hundred and twenty acres between Salem and Jefferson, which he operated three years, at the end of which time he bought one hundred and two acres of stump and brush land, located on the Pacific highway, seven miles south of Salem. After fixing the house so as to make it habitable, he began clearing the land, which task he has practically completed. He has eighteen acres planted to prunes, and has built a good drier, so that he is able to handle his own fruit. He also keeps eleven good Jersey cows, while his principal crops are hay, grain and fruit. In 1908 lie erected a substantial barn and in 1923 built one of the finest farm homes in Marion county, provided with modern conveniences and of attractive architectural style. Mr. Feller was successful in the operation of this place, and in 1918 also bought one hundred and five acres of land, two miles east of the home farm, and has five acres planted to prunes, the remainder of the land being devoted to hay and grain, save that which is still in timber. He has shown sound judgment in all of his operations and well deserves the splendid success which has come to him. ln 1891 Mr. Feller was united in marriage to Miss Louise Schluneger, who was born in Canton Neuchatel, Switzerland, and is a daughter of Daniel and Barbara Schluneger, both of whom were natives of and died in Switzerland. They were the parents of six children, of whom three are living, namely: Mrs. Mary Losly, who remains in Switzerland; Mrs. Louise Feller; and Mrs. Lena Lichty, who also is in Switzerland. To Mr. and Mrs. Feller have been born eleven children : Letia, who is at home; George, of Salem, who is married and has a daughter, Dorothea; Ida, at home; Mrs. Clara M. Gilmore, who lives in Salem; Wilfred, who is married and has two children, Doris and Betty; Emery; Henry and Albert, twins; Clifford; Mary, who is a senior in the Salem high school; and Frances, who is a sophomore in the Salem high school. The eldest son is a veteran of the World war, having served eleven months overseas and was in action for thirty-one days. In his political views Mr. Feller is an ardent republican and he has shown a commendable interest in public affairs, having- served for twenty years as a member of the school board. Mr. and Mrs. Feller expect to visit their old homes in Switzerland in the summer of 1927, probably accompanied by their daughter Leila. Mr. Feller has been the architect of his own fortune, which he has won through hard and continuous effort, and he well deserves the high place which he holds in public regard. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in March 2012 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.