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. 695.
 
J. H. PUTNAM

     a prominent merchant and wealthy stockman of Fossil, was born in Henry
county, Missouri in 1855. His father, Newton Putnam, was born in Nashville,
Tennessee, and was a veteran of the Civil War, having served three years in the
union army. He was in Mexico during the struggle with that country and in 1872
crossed the plains, with ox teams to Oregon. His death occurred twenty years
later. He was a prominent man and a sturdy pioneer. He married Nancy Stockton, a
native of Missouri, who is still living. Her father, Honorable D. D. Stockton,
was captain of a company during the Civil War and was also a captain in a
company during the Rebellion. He was wounded while in the service and died from
the effects of the same in 1872. For a number of terms he served in the Missouri
legislature and was a man of prominence and ability. Our subject rode a Cayuse
from Missouri to the Willamette valley in 1872 and there remained three years.
Then he came to Sarvis prairie where he engaged in farming with Gillman French &
Company and operated for these people for thirteen years. It was 1889 when Mr.
Putnam came to Fossil and engaged in the contracting business, being in
partnership with A. B. Lamb. In 1894 this partnership was dissolved and Mr.
Putnam took up the general merchandising business for himself. He continued
handling stock and owns about fifteen hundred acres of land in the Mayville
country and two hundred and fifty head of cattle. This large estate and holding
he manages from Fossil, in addition to conducting his mercantile business. He
carries a stock of from seven to ten thousand dollars worth of goods of all
kinds demanded by the trade here and he is known as a progressive and up to date
merchant.
     On October 12, 1891, Mr. Putnam married Ann L. Meek, who was born in Mound
City, Missouri, in May, 1869. Her father, Eli Meek, emigrated to western Oregon
in 1894 and died five years later. Mr. Putnam has the following named brothers
and sisters: William, in northwest Montana; J. B., state librarian at Salem,
having held the position for twenty-two years; W. W., a rancher in the Mayville
country; Marion, a farmer near Salem; Otis, deceased; and Rosa D., who died in
1888. To Mr. and Mrs. Putnam, three children have been born; Wyatt, on August
15, 1892; Evangeline, on April 4, 1804; and Theodore, in August, 1899. Mr.
Putnam belongs to the Masonic fraternity, the M. W. A. and the Order of Eastern
Star. Politically he is a strong Republican and always takes a keen interest in
the campaigns.


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