Gaston, Joseph. "The Centennial History of Oregon, 1811-1912." Vol. 2. Chicago, Clarke Publishing Co., 1912. p. 77. JOHN A. HORSMAN who, since 1908 has resided in Pendleton, was for many years engaged in the stock business in Umatilla county. He was born in Shelby county, Illinois, September 4, 1858, the son of Joseph Liles, and Elizabeth Ann (Hall) Horsman, natives of Shelby county, Illinois, the former of whom was born January 14, 1831, and the latter October 19, 1836. The father passed away in 1861, when the subject of this sketch was only three years of age. Later the mother married again, her second union being with J. W. Corley, and they afterward removed to Missouri but in 1884 came to Umatilla county, where they both passed away. She died in 1890. In the family of Joseph Liles and Elizabeth Ann (Hall) Horsman were four children, of whom William N. died in New Mexico in 1882. A sketch of George Lindsey, the second son, appears elsewhere in this volume. John A., is the subject of this review. Charles H., who completes the family, is the owner of a fruit and dairy ranch near Centralia, Washington. John A. Horsman remained in his native state until he was ten years of age, when he removed to Missouri and then to Kansas. Later he went to Wyoming, where he became a cowboy, remaining until 1885. In that year he and his brothers, George Lindsey and Charles H., came to this county and here for several years were engaged in the stock business. Later he and his brother George L. purchased the share of Charles H., the other brother, and continued to raise stock until 1907, when Mr. Horsman of this review sold his interest to his brother, George L., and retired to Pendleton, where he has since resided. While engaged in the cattle business they had about twenty-five hundred acres of land on Butter Creek and also had some government land which they used for grazing. At the present time Mr. Horsman is interested in a spring wheel, which can be used for all kinds of vehicles and which has recently been patented by Isaac Jay, a resident of Pendleton. Mr. Horsman also is interested in the Clark Wireless Telephone and Telegraph Company. On the 4th of July, 1897, Mr. Horsman married Miss Ida Bell Ely, who was born in Illinois in 1877 and in 1883 came with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Ely, to Oregon. To Mr. and Mrs. Horsman have been born two children, Gwendolyn and Ethel M. In his political views Mr. Horsman is a democrat, believing the principles of this party to be most conducive to good government. Mr. Horsman has now resided in Umatilla county for more than a quarter of a century and he is justly accorded a place among the prominent and representative citizens of the county, for he has ever given his support to all measures which have stood for public advancement and for the general welfare. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in August 2009 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.