"An Illustrated history of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties : with a
brief outline of the early history of the state of Oregon." Chicago?: Western
Historical Pub. Co., 1902.  Page 314.  Baker County.

ISAAC N. PANCAKE

     A veteran of the great Civil war, and an honored citizen of Baker county,
in the development of which he had materially aided, was born in Noble county,
Indiana, in 1838.  His parents, Abraham and Mary (Choup) Pancake, natives of
Ohio, were among the first settlers of northern Indiana, where they followed
farming until death claimed them.  Our subject remained under the parental roof
until the outbreak of the Civil war, then enlisted as a non-commissioned
officer.  He served three years and one month, participating in many hard-fought
engagements and skirmishes, one of his superior officers for a part at least of
the time being the famed General Lawton, who perished in the Philippine war.  At
the close of his service our subject was discharged as a color sergeant.
Returning home, he remained with his parents about two years, then went to Linn
county, Kansas, and engaged in farming, an occupation which continued to engage
his energies until 1877, which year is the date of his advent to Pine valley.
Arriving in September, he purchased a place two and a half miles north of the
present Halfway post office, and again under new conditions and surroundings,
began farming and stockraising, a business which he has followed energetically
and successfully ever since.  Thus has he demonstrated that the same conquering
force of character which made him a good soldier in war times could enable him
to win success in the less dangerous, but sometimes no less arduous, battles of
civil life.
     Mr. Pancake was married in Indiana in February, 1865, to Miss Nancy,
daughter of Robert and Nancy (Cutler) Curtis, natives of Vermont, and to their
union seven children were born, Bruce; Lena, wife of William Mills; Vertie,
deceased; one that died in infancy; May, wife of Fred Painter; and two others
who died in infancy.
     Mr. Pancake's father was a leader in Ohio politics, having been twice
representative of his district, also one of the first board of county
commissioners of his county.
     Our subject himself is vitally interested in matters of public concern,
especially in the cause of education, which he has promoted by efficiently
serving as trustee both in Kansas and where he now lives.  Fraternally, he is
affiliated with Phil Kearny Post, No. 66, G.A.R.

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

Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in September 2005 by Diana Smith.
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.