Clark, Robert Carlton, Ph.D. "History of the Willamette Valley Oregon."  Vol. 3.
Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company, 1927. p. 257.

FRELON J. BABCOCK

    Of sturdy Caledonian stock, Frelon J. Babcock was well equipped to cope with
pioneer conditions in the Pacific northwest and played well his part, strongly
influencing Salem's upbuilding and progress. He also aided in preserving the
Union during the dark days of civil strife and in all matters of citizenship was
loyal, patriotic and public-spirited. He was born in the state of Vermont in
1843 and his parents, Jason and Delight Babcock, were natives of Scotland. He
was reared and educated in the Green Mountain state and in 1861, when a youth of
eighteen, enlisted in the Third Vermont Regiment. He served from the beginning
until the close of the Civil war, gallantly defending the cause which he
espoused, and was thrice wounded. After the restoration of peace Mr. Babcock
returned to Vermont and for three years was the proprietor of a furniture store
at Brattleboro. In 1868 he sold his stock and started for the Pacific coast,
choosing the isthmus route. After reaching Portland, Oregon, he traveled by
stage to Salem and opened a furniture store on Commercial street. He was one of
the earliest merchants of the town and remained alone in the enterprise for some
time. He afterward admitted C. M. Parmenter to a partnership and remained at the
head of the firm until 1888. A sagacious, farsighted business man, he won and
retained a position of leadership in the local hardware trade, making his
establishment an essential feature in the life of the community, and in its
conduct he was guided by the Golden Rule.
     Mr. Babcock was married March 8, 1871, to Miss Ida M. Pratt, who was born
in Rhode Island. Her parents. Captain L. E. and Nancy (Lawrence) Pratt, were
natives of Massachusetts and of colonial ancestry. In 1857 the family journeyed
westward by way of the isthmus of Panama but before making the trip Captain
Pratt had purchased machinery in North Andover for the old Oregon woolen
factory. He was made superintendent' of the mill, in which his daughters, Mrs.
Babcock and Mrs. J. H. Haas, were employed, and Mrs. Haas wove the first blanket
made on the Pacific coast. Captain Pratt was the father of three children. In
1864 he erected a woolen mill in Oregon City, which building is still standing.
Later he was made a master mariner, becoming a captain of steamers operating on
the Willamette river, and was identified with maritime affairs until his death.
His daughter, Ida M., was graduated from Willamette University in 1868 and
became well known as an educator, teaching in Salem for a number of years. In
the family of Mr. and Mrs. Babcock were four children. J. Pratt, the first born,
died at the age of five years. William, who was born in Salem and supplemented
his public school training by attendance at Willamette -University, possessed a
fine physique and was noted for his prowess in athletic sports. For many years
he was identified with the management of flour mills and his demise occurred in
1925. He had married Miss Rose Woodruff, a native of Indiana, and they became
the parents of two daughters, Amelia Jessup and Bertha. Grace, the next in order
of birth, is employed at the statehouse. Mary is an abstractor and was married
in Portland to C. A. Maulding.
     Mr. Babcock was allied with the republican party and in the early days was
one of the councilmen of Salem. For one and a half terms he acted as county
clerk and while the incumbent of that office sold his interest in the furniture
store. He shaped his conduct by the teachings of the Congregational church and
his widow also adheres to that faith. He renewed his associations with the "boys
in blue" through his connection with the Grand Army of the Republic. He was a
thirty-second degree Mason, attained high standing in the order and for fourteen
years was secretary of the Grand Chapter of Oregon. His was an admirable
character, worthy of all praise, and his death, on November 1, 1891, was a great
loss to Salem. Mrs. Babcock has long been prominent in the affairs of the
Woman's Relief Corps and was the first department president on the Pacific
coast. She has passed through all the chairs of the Eastern Star and for
twenty-seven years has been secretary of Chadwick Chapter. Coming to the
Willamette Valley in pioneer times, she has witnessed the progress of
civilization in this region and her conversation spans the past in interesting
reminiscences. Her heart responds readily to the call of the needy and the cry
of the distressed and she is much admired and respected by all who enjoy the
privilege of her friendship.

     
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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in February 2012 by Diana Smith.
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.