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. 759. JOHN WAGONBLAST has lived in Oregon for half a century which is the larger portion of his life. He was born in Buchanan county, Missouri, on October 24, 1848, and now resides at Madras, Crook county, Oregon. His parents were Gottlieb and Christina (Rieff) Wagonblast, natives of Germany and now deceased. Their marriage occurred in their native land and in the early thirties they journeyed to the United States. In 1855, with ox teams, they crossed the plains and spent the first winter on Willapa creek in southwestern Washington. After that the father bought land six miles southeast from Oregon City where they remained until 1871. At that time our subject started out for himself and worked for a time at various places. In 1873 he bought land and three years later sold out and settled four miles east of Vancouver, Washington, just across the river in Multnomah county. In 1878 he left that place and rented land in Wasco county, then purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land on Threemile creek just out from The Dalles. Mr. Wagonblast made that one of the finest farms in Wasco county and in March, 1904, sold the same for fifty dollars per acre. Then he took a homestead at Agency Plains in Crook county, where we find him at the present time. He is planning extensive improvements on his homestead and will raise grain and handle stock. In Clarke county, Washington, in 1873, Mr. Wagonblast married Miss Mary C. Payne. Her parents were Almon and Minerva Payne, natives of Illinois. They crossed the plains with ox teams in 1852 and now reside in Clarke county, Washington. Mr. Wagonblast has the following named brothers and sisters: Jacob, William, Henry, Charles, Frank, Margaret, wife of W. S. Douthit; Caroline, wife of John S. Simmons; Alice E., wife of Henry Johnson. Mrs. Wagonblast has one sister and three brothers, Jane, wife of Sidney Stamp and Charles, Ben and Harvey. Our subject is a member of the United Artisans and in politics is a Republican. He has several times been a delegate to the conventions, is active in the campaigns and is a respected and popular citizen. He is a representative man in his community, liberal and public minded and has always labored for the upbuilding of Oregon. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in August 2011 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.