Gaston, Joseph.  "The Centennial History of Oregon, 1811-1912."  Vol. 2. 
Chicago, Clarke Publishing Co., 1912. p. 26.

	HUGH E. DENHAM is a member of the firm of Palmer & Denham, proprietors of a
harness-making business in Baker.  He was born in Columbus City, Iowa, March 29,
1857.  His father, William Denham, was a native of Ohio, born in 1832, and in
his boyhood days he went with his parents to Iowa and in that state was married
in 1855 to Miss Esther Jeffries, whose birth occurred in Pennsylvania in 1833.
She too had become a resident of Iowa when her parents established a home in
that state.  Both Mr. and Mrs. Denham remained residents of Columbus City until
called to their final rest, both passing away when about forty years of age.  He
was a tailor by trade, but in Iowa followed the transfer business.  In their
family were seven children, three of whom passed early childhood:  Hugh E.;
Mrs. May Wilson, now deceased;  and Mary Elsie, who died at the age of fourteen
years.
	Hugh E. Denham resided at the place of his birth until 1877 when he went to
Superior, Nuckolls county, Nebraska.  He had previously served an apprenticeship
at the harness-making and saddlery trade which he followed in that state.  In
September, 1880, he came to Baker where he lived for four years and then went
back to Colorado where he spent the succeeding two years.  At the expiration of
that time he again came to Oregon, settling in La Grande in 1889.  Seven years
passed and he then took up his abode in Baker where he has since lived.  He has
been a harness maker throughout his entire life and was in the employ of others
until 1888 when he started in business for himself.  In that year he entered
into partnership with Robert Palmer, with whom he has since been connected under
the firm style of Palmer & Denham.  They own their shop which is located at No.
1706 Main street, a one-story building twenty by eighty feet, occupied entirely
by them in their harness-making business.  They are both excellent workmen and
they also furnish employment to two men.  This business, however, is but one
venture of their activities.  They own ranch lands together, comprising about
five hundred and sixty acres under cultivation with other large tracts used for
pasturage, and they are making s specialty of Percheron horses, in which
connection they have become widely known, being foremost in this business in
Baker county and in fact throughout eastern Oregon.
	On the 18th of June, 1884, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Denham and
Miss Maggie Gooding, who was born in Canada, March 30, 1865, but was reared in
the United States.  In 1881 she came to Oregon with her parents, Francis and
Margaret (Russell) Gooding, the former a native of England, the latter of
Scotland.  They were married in Canada and spent their last days in Baker.  Unto
Mr. and Mrs. Denham have been born six children:  May M., a native of Colorado;
William F.;  Ray A.;  who is married and resides in Baker;  Ethel, who died at
the age of nine years;  and Earl and Lloyd.  The last five were born in this
state.
	Mr. Denham is very prominent in fraternal relations.  He belongs to both the
subordinate lodge and encampment of the independent Order of Odd Fellows and is
also connected with the Modern Woodmen of America, the Woodmen of the World and
the Knights of Maccabees.  On starting out in life for himself Mr. Denham early
recognized that diligence is the only sure foundation upon which to build
success.  He made his services of value to his employers and eventually was able
to save from his earnings sufficient capital with which to engage in business on
his own account.  From that point forward his progress has been continuous, the
steps in his advancement being easily discernible.  Wise use of time and
opportunities and honorable dealings have been the salient features of his
success.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in October 2015 by Dale Givens, odg -at-
hiwaay.net.

More information can be found at:
http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=bakerco&id=I11986