An Illustrated History of Central Oregon, Western Historical Publishing Company, Spokane, WA. 1905, pages 244-245. LOUIS J. KLINGER, a retired farmer residing at Dufur, Wasco county, is one of the earliest of Oregon pioneers, having come into the country in 1847. He was born in Warren county, Missouri, October 19, 1837, the son of John and Mary Klinger, natives of Germany. The father was born on the River Rhine, and came to the United States in the early 30'S, settling in Warren county. He came west and died in Clackamas county in the fall of 1862. The mother died when our subject was six years of age in Warren county, Missouri. When Louis was ten years of age he came across the plains accompanied by his father and five other members of the family, and they were among the first to cross the Cascades with ox teams on the Barlow road, which was completed that year, in 1847. A scanty supply of rice with a small allowance of bread made up their sole provisions, towards the last of the trip. The journey to the spot where now stands the town of Dufur, a distance of three thousand miles, was fraught with hardships and peril. At The Dalles our subject saw a house, and shouted, "A house, a house!" this being the first building they had seen, with the exception of Forts Laramie, Hall and Boise, since leaving Independence, Missouri. Mr. Klinger remembers seeing many campers along the road who had killed their last ox for food. It is estimated that seven thousand immigrants started that year for Oregon, hundreds of whom died en route, and other hundreds reached Oregon in a starving condition. When the Klinger family arrived in Oregon City the father had only twenty-five cents in money, and wheat was worth six dollars a bushel. Dr. McLaughlin, for many years with the Hudson's Bay Company, sold him grain, taking his note. They settled on Mollala Prairie, ten miles above Oregon City, taking a donation claim, where our subject grew to manhood, being educated in a "subscription" school. Mr. Klinger has one half brother, Frank, and of his five full brothers and sisters, Christina, wife of Clifton Callahan, died in 1897; Therese, died in 1893 in Inyo county, California; William in 1867 and Frederick in 1901, both in Clackamas county. He has one sister living, Mrs. Matilda Clock, whose husband is a farmer living in Modoc county, California. March 17, 1861, Mr. Klinger was married to Melissa J. Woodcock, horn on the plains in 1844 while her parents were en route for Oregon. Her parents were Wilson D. and Keziah (Bunton) Woodcock. She has four half brothers, Wilson D., Thomas P., William and Abner, and one full sister, Mary, married to Ephraim Ramsby, of Klamath Falls, Oregon. In 1863 our subject came to Wasco county, settling on Eightmile creek, four miles northeast of Dufur, where he engaged in farming and stock raising. While teaming in this country he crossed the creek one hundred and nineteen times while en route to Boise, Idaho, in five miles on one trip. In company with John R. Doyle, Jack McHaley and Robert Clark he purchased the first separator ever brought into Wasco county. In 1889 our subject had amassed a modest competence and, selling his farm, he removed to the town of Dufur, where he owns a cosy story and a half house in a city block in the center of the town. He also owns another choice block which he utilizes for the purpose of a pasture. Mr. Klinger is an enthusiastic hunter, and fisherman, passing a large portion of the summer in the mountains, He is a member of Ridgely Lodge No. 71. I.O.O.F., and is recognized as a progressive, broad-minded and influential citizen. He has served two terms as mayor of Dufur, but cares more for his superior camping outfit than he does for political honors. He is a Democrat, although not at all partisan. On several inventions our subject has taken out patents, one of them, a weeding machine, being of inestimable value. He has also invented a baling press and hand hay press, which he never patented although it is conceded to be of great value. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in January 2005 by Jeffrey L. Elmer. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.