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. 909.
 
GEORGE CONN

     is one of the wealthy citizens of Lake county and stands at the head of
several important enterprises. His birth occurred on January 31, 1840, in Cass
county, Indiana. His father, Henry Conn, was born October 12, 1816, in Lycoming
county, Pennsylvania, and descended from an old American family, many of whom
were in the various colonial struggles and especially in the Revolution. He came
west to Hamilton county, Ohio in 1837, then was in Cass county, Indiana, about
1839, and in 1854, crossed the plains to Roseburg, Oregon, with teams. He took a
donation claim near Roseburg and there remained until his death in May, 1896. He
had married Miss Mary J. Stultz, who was born in Hamilton county, Ohio. She died
on the old donation claim in 1898. Her birth had occurred on April 24, 1821.
They were the parents of eleven children, nine boys and two girls and nine of
the number are now living. Our subject accompanied his parents on their journey
to the west and received his education from the common schools, finishing in the
Willamette University at Salem. Then he taught school for a time and in 1862 was
on the crest of the wave that rolled into the Salmon river mining country. He
traveled all through that section, through the Grande Ronde valley and the Walla
Walla country, also visiting Florence and many other mining places, as Boise and
Canyon City. He was at the last place in 1862. In. March, 1865, he enlisted in
Company A. First Oregon Volunteer Cavalry, and went as escort to the parties
locating the military road across the state. After that, he was at Fort Klamath,
then went to Vancouver, where he was mustered out in March, 1866. During his
service in 1865, he was through this country, where Paisley now stands and
August 18, of that year, camped on the site of the town. Indians, wild game, and
grass were all that were here in those days. Alter his discharge, he taught
school and being a natural mechanic, did contracting and building.  In May,
1872, he was appointed the receiver at the United States Land Office at
Linkville and five years later the office was removed to Lakeview, where he
continued until January, 1882, making ten years in that capacity. In 1880, he
opened a general merchandise establishment in Lakeview and in September, 1881,
he moved his stock of goods to Paisley, where he has continued steadily since.
He now has a large stock of goods and does an extensive business. In 1886, Mr.
Conn erected a fine roller flouring mill of fifty barrel capacity, which
property he still owns. He has a fine eight room residence with some eight
hundred fruit trees on the grounds. Mr. Conn has made a splendid success in
raising fruit of all kinds and such vegetables as tomatoes and so forth. He has
about eight hundred acres in his ranch, six hundred of which are tillable. About
ninety acres are producing alfalfa and he also has some natural meadow on the
estate. Mr. Conn has quite a bunch of stock and altogether is one of the most
prosperous and wealthy men in this part of the country.
     On February 27, 1887, Mr. Conn married Miss Margaret Sergent, who was born
in the Rogue river valley in this state. Her parents are Conrad S. and Loetta
(Hauck) Sergent and are now living in Jackson county, Oregon, having been
pioneers ot the state in 1861. Mr. Conn came to this country without means and
by his own efforts unaided, he has made his splendid success in the business
world which he enjoys today.


*******************

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