Gaston, Joseph. "The Centennial History of Oregon, 1811-1912." Vol. 2. Chicago, Clarke Publishing Co., 1912. p. 696. ORLANDO CHESTER KOONTZ who has won success in his undertakings as a farmer and stock-raiser, has resided on the Burnt river for the past half century and is the owner of a valuable ranch of three hundred and twenty acres. His birth occurred in Shasta county, California, on the 7th of November, 1853, his parents being Benjamin Franklin and Elizabeth Jane (Walling) Koontz, who were born, reared and married in Pennsylvania. Subsequently they took up their abode among the pioneer settlers of Yorktown, Delaware county, Indiana. The site of that town was the old homestead of Jacob Koontz, the paternal grandfather of our subject, who came to this country from Germany. His remains, which had been there interred, were removed when streets were laid out. It was in 1849 that Benjamin F. Koontz, the father of Orlando C. Koontz, left the Hoosier state and made his way across the, plains to California. In 1851 he returned to Indiana for his wife and two children, whom he brought to the Golden state. Mr. Koontz of this review, his brother and three sisters were born in California. In 1863 the family came to Oregon, settling at Clark creek, where the father had located mining claims. He made the journey from Baker City to Burnt river on the first wagon that crossed the divide and followed mining for two years. In 1865 he took up his abode on the Burnt river, secured a homestead and erected the first sawmill in the Burnt river valley. He operated his sawmill until the winter of 1868, when he was frozen to death. It was while he was crossing the divide from Auburn to his home that the severe cold overcame his powers of resistance and, though rescued, he passed away four days later. The demise of his wife occurred at Clark creek in 1872, when she had attained the age of forty-two years. They were the parents of nine children, as follows: Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Boswell, who was twice married and is now deceased; Amelia Lurchin, who has also passed away; Orlando Chester, of this review; Adelia, who gave her hand in marriage to Albert Good and resides at La Grande, Oregon; Ellen, who died in early life; Mrs. Emma McLaughlin, who is likewise deceased; Henry, who accidentally shot himself; Mrs. Alice Moffit, who is a resident of Malheur, Oregon; and Mrs. Minnie Nibler, living in La Grande, this state. Orlando C. Koontz, who was a lad of ten years when he came to Oregon with his parents, has since made his home on the Burnt river. He worked at placer mining for a number of years during his early manhood but later became identified with agricultural pursuits and has since devoted his attention to farming and stock-raising. His ranch comprises three hundred and twenty acres of land on the Burnt river, and the Hereford postoffice is located thereon. All the improvements on the property are due to the enterprise and thrift of Mr. Koontz. He is a breeder of Percheron and standard-bred horses and feeds from four to five hundred head of cattle. In 1877 Mr. Koontz was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Fleetwood, who was born in Missouri on the 18th of November, 1862, her parents being Asa and Elizabeth (Johnson) Fleetwood. The family removed to California in 1863, came to the Willamette valley in 1865 and in 1871 took up their abode on Burnt river. Both Mr. and Mrs. Fleetwood are deceased, having passed away on the old homestead here. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Koontz were born the following children: Franklin, who died at the age of thirteen years; William, at home; Mary, who passed away at the age of twenty-two; Lance, who is still under the parental roof; and Etta, who is the wife of Frank Hordman. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in September 2007 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.