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. 1019.
 
HARRY H. VAN VALKENBURG

     an enterprising fanner and stock raiser, resides four miles southwest of
Klamath Falls on the Pokegama road. He was born March 4, 1866, at Rockford,
Illinois, the son of George VanValkenburg. The latter was a native of Illinois
and enjoyed the distinction of a splendid war record serving with the federal
forces four years and being wounded five times. Having received a promotion to a
first lieutenancy he was sent home invalided from a wound, and died in 1867. He
was a descendant of an old and distinguished Holland family.
     The mother of our subject, Josephine (Billick) Van Valkenburg, is also, a
native of Illinois, and is now the wife of Ky Taylor, of Klamath Falls. Our
subject has one brother, L. G. Van Valkenburg, of Sumas, Washington. After the
death of his father, our subject accompanied his mother to Poweshiek county,
Iowa, where he was educated in the public schools in that vicinity, and
subsequently worked on a farm. It was in 1881 that he removed to the far west,
and in 1882 came to Klamath county, remained on the ranch till 1890 then visited
Washington and Montana. Returning to Klamath Falls in 1895, he engaged in the
jewelry business. In this he continued until the spring of 1904.  Soon after his
arrival here he studied telegraphy and, had a telegraph office in his jewelry
store. For a while, also, he had the telephone office in connection with the
telegraph system.
    Entering the political field in 1898 he was elected county treasurer on the
Republican ticket, and was re-elected in 1900, and again in 1902. In the last
named election he was the only Republican candidate elected on the ticket which
was defeated generally by a majority of one hundred and fifty. This is a
political record of which Mr. Van Valkenburg may certainly feel proud. During
the spring of 1903 he purchased his present place of one thousand, eight hundred
acres, about half of which is farm and hay land, and the other half grazing
range. The entire ranch is fenced and provided with a comfortable house and
commodious barn.  This land lies along the western bank of the Klamath river. It
was in July, 1904, mat he disposed of his store and removed on to the ranch
where he is now profitably engaged in the stock business, and also owns some
property in town still.
     November 14, 1897, our subject was married to Emma McIlmoil, a native of
Marysville, California. She is a daughter of R. H. McIlmoil, one of the early
pioneers of the Pacific slope, who same here in 1852. In 1884 he came to Klamath
county, but removed to Phoenix, Arizona, in 1900.
     Twelve years ago with practically no means, our subject returned to Klamath
county, and worked for one dollar a day on the same ranch that he now owns. He
is a member of the A. F. & A. M., and the A. 0. U. W., both lodges of Klamath
Falls. In the spring of 1904 Mr. Van Valkenburg was a delegate to the state
convention at Portland, and is a member of the state Republican central
committee.


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