"Portrait and Biographical Record of Portland and Vicinity, Oregon." Authors: "a compilation of this work....by a number of writers". Chapman Publishing Co; Chicago, 1903. p. 415. JOHN M. DEARDORFF There, are very few residents in Oregon whose arrival in the state antedates that of Mr. Deardorff, who landed here October 20, 1850. Much of his life was passed in the midst of stirring western scenes, and he could truly say, In reviewing the history of Oregon, "All of which I saw and part of which I was." He was born in Putnam county, Ind., October 10, 1824, and was the oldest in a family of six children who attained mature years. His father, Christian, a Virginian by birth and a farmer by occupation, removed to Indiana in an early day and settled among the pioneers of Putnam county, where he engaged in the milling business. In 1840 he removed to Henry county, Iowa, where he leased a farm for six years. During 1846 he settled in Nauvoo, Ill., which was at that time in a state of excitement through Mormon disturbances. From there Joseph Smith, the Mormon, leader, had been taken to Carthage, and was shot at the county jail in that town. Four years after going to Nauvoo, Mr. Deardorff decided to cast in his fortunes with the people of the far west. Accordingly he made preparations for the long journey. Equipped with two wagons and four yoke of oxen and four yoke of cows he crossed the plains. At the Des Moines river he fell in with a train of about thirty wagons, with whom he proceeded on the journey through a hostile Indian country. The savages had torn down the bridge at Shell creek and would not permit the white men to cut timber with which to construct a passage way across the creek, but, notwithstanding their interference, the emigrant train wound on its slow way in safety, and on the 20th of October arrived in Oregon, having during the entire journey lost only one man, the victim of cholera. Christian Deardorff settled on a donation claim of six hundred and forty acres in Clackamas county, which he proved up on and acquired as a homestead. There his death occurred December 14, 1884. His wife, who was Matilda Landers, a Virginian, was born August 31, 1802, and died April 30, 1891. During 1849 J. M. Deardorff went to the pine regions of Wisconsin, traveling on a boat up the Mississippi river. During the voyage many passengers died of the cholera. He was told that brandy was an excellent preventive of the disease, and accordingly fortified himself with some, this being the first time he had ever patronized a saloon. In crossing the Mississippi he stepped into an air hole and almost lost his life. At other times he was in great peril. One time, during the early winter, he was anxious to cross the river and so walked over on the ice, which, being not yet hard, proved a dangerous expedition. When crossing the plains; he and a comrade had charge of a team, and with this they started out hunting. They succeeded in getting some shots at buffalo, but almost perished for want of water before they got back to the train. On another occasion a wolf broke into camp and frightened the emigrants. While in the Green river country they were obliged to drive at night, in order to save their cattle from the prostrating effects of the summer sun. Near Fort Hall an Indian rode into the camp one morning on a fine horse and as he started to leave one of the men fired a shot at him; the others were frightened, fearing revenge on the part of other Indians, but nothing further came of the incident. The effects of the journey became so serious for the cattle that at Fort Boise a wagon was discarded and other effects not thought to be necessary, after which they made more satisfactory speed. Toward the last of the trip their stock of provisions became exhausted and they bought afterward from the Indians, who in those parts proved to be more or less friendly. At the start they had thirteen head of stock, but when they reached their destination the number was reduced to five. The wagons being left on account of horses giving out, the mother and two sisters were given accommodations in a pack train. In the spring of the next year father and son returned for the wagons, but the Indians had confiscated them, as well as the feather beds and other articles that had been left in them. All that was left was a Bible and a medicine chest, which the family still have in their possession. The mother and sisters were found in Milwaukee, so the family soon became united. In search of employment Mr. Deardorff went to Salem, from there walked to Milwaukee, and thence to Oregon City, where a hotel man kindly gave him lodging until he could get a start. Almost his first work was in splitting rails, which occupation he followed at Milwaukee during the winter. In October, 1851, he took up the claim where he now lives, the same consisting of three hundred and twenty acres near Sunnyside, Clackamas county. The first house built on the place has been added to by subsequent improvements, and is a substantial and comfortable home. Here he kept "bachelor's hall" for three years, but, not finding it satisfactory to live alone, he decided to establish domestic ties. His marriage, January 5, 1854, united him with Rachel Ingram, a native of Illinois, and a daughter of James Ingram, who was born in Tennessee, spent some years in Illinois, thence removed to Iowa, and in 1852 crossed the plains to Oregon, settling on a donation claim in Clackamas county. This place he subsequently traded for a farm a short distance west of Portland, and there he spent his last years. Mrs. Deardorff died July 28, 1901, at the age of sixty-four years. Of her children, James Henry, of Santa Ana, Cal., is engaged in raising oranges, soft shell walnuts and apricots; William Albert is also living at Santa Ana; John Bennett continues on the home farm, of which he has charge; the only daughter, Anna, died at the age of eighteen months. In early life Mr. Deardorff voted with the Democrats, but when that party wanted to make Oregon a slave state he transferred his allegiance to the Republican party, adhering to it the rest of his life. In religion he was connected with the Christian Church. To those who inquired of him concerning the early days of Oregon he was an exceedingly entertaining conversationalist and companion. His memory of pioneer events was fresh, and his narration of the same forceful and vivid. He told how, in 1856, flour was sold at such high prices that it was practically beyond the reach of the moneyless farmers, who were obliged to adopt such substitutes as were available. By working for a week it was possible for him to earn a fifty-pound sack of shorts, which the family used to take the place of flour and which would last a year. The first wagon he owned was bought second-hand for $30 and was in a very dilapidated condition, but by careful repairing he was able to use it for a few years. For a team he used a yoke of oxen which he brought from Iowa across the plains. For his first horses he paid $75 each, and from these he raised a team that he sold for $500. His first horse bought lived to a great age and was the mother of many fine animals, representing in their selling price at least $1,000, and enabling Mr. Deardorff by their sale to gain the needed money with which to improve his place. In 1896 he turned the control of the land over to his son, and three years later rented it to Charles Mull. In addition to this property he owned seven and one-half acres near Portland, for which he paid $1,000 and which he sold for $9,000. He also had a house and lot on Ankeney street. East Portland, a lot in the Villa, two and one-half acres in the suburbs of Portland, a tract of six acres and another of five acres in Lentz, Multnomah county, forty acres of unimproved land on the hill near his home, and forty acres of unimproved property in the forks of Deep creek, the whole representing an important money value, and proving Mr. Deardorff to have been a man of wise judgment in his investments. After a lingering illness Mr. Deardorff passed away December 7, 1902. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in July 2010 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.