"An Illustrated history of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties : with a brief outline of the early history of the state of Oregon." Chicago?: Western Historical Pub. Co., 1902. Page 496. Grant County. OLIVER P. CRESAP What an air of interest clings to the early pioneers of this land that immediately catches the desires and awakens the spirit of investigation in each one of us. This is not without adequate cause, because we are all more or less acquainted with the stirring adventures and dangers encountered by these heroes of the plains as well as the arduous labors endured and mining excitements of the day. The dreary trip across the plains, enlivened by the ferocious attacks of the savages; the restfulness experienced at the end of the journey; the exhilaration of new scenes and ways; the exciting stories of fortunes made in a few days in the mines; the rise of ambition to "try his luck" that tired every young American who entered the domain of the west; the toils, the hardships of the search, the sickening drop of spirits at failure, the buoyant exuberance of joy when a strike was made; the weary trip from camp to camp -- all this is only part of what each one lived day by day, and which combined to make a distinct type of humanity in the real pioneer of the early days. Genial, kind, patient under hardships and deprivation, ever expectant, never showing a sign of desire to quit the struggle -- the sturdy representatives of those unique days carry about with them a winning something of interest in their life that causes us to halt and bring out the reminiscences of past days in entertaining conversation with the worthy characters. What words could equal these, for the subject of this sketch, that he is a typical representative of the pioneer days, possessed of capabilities and integrity that do credit to even that worthy class. His career began early in this line and he has traveled the complete gamut of experience. Born in Alleghany county, Maryland, on August 23, 1840, the son of Daniel H. and Eliza Cresap, Oliver P. spent the early days of his life in work on the farm of his father and in attending school. His mother died when he was eight years of age and in 1856 he came with his father to Bonaparte, Iowa, where he remained until 1860. The real spirit of adventure and exploration for his fortune in the west took possession of him at that time and he started across the plains in company with others, driving a band of horses. After passing Salt Lake City the Indians succeeded in stealing the entire bunch, and the unfortunate owners were obliged to walk the rest of the distance to the coast, eleven hundred miles. Ashland, Jackson county, Oregon, was their landing place, and for two years Mr. Cresap was occupied with various kinds of work, then started to Oro Fino, but was turned form this purpose and stopped at Canyon City in June, 1862. He located the second claim of the county, it being situated at the mouth of Whisky Gulch. Two years he followed placer mining and then packed from The Dalles for four years, then went to Susanville, in this county and followed placer mining for thirteen years with good success. In this county on June 16, 1880, the marriage of Mr. Cresap and Miss Oregon H. Douthit, a native of Indiana, was solemnized and to them have been born the following children: Helen M., Clara M., Henry O., Wilbur D., Minnie E., Elsworth W. Mrs. Cresap crossed the plains in 1853 with her parents. In 1882 Mr. Cresap was called by the people to act as sheriff and his service in that capacity was efficient and satisfactory. In 1892 he was again elected to the same office. Under Cleveland's first administration he was postmaster in Canyon City. From 1883 to 1895 he was engaged in mercantile business and at the last date he sold that business and again turned his attention to mining. He now has some very valuable properties in the Marysville district, and also some others in different places. He owns a fine home in Canyon City and some other property. It is of note that many times in the early days Mr. Cresap was frequently shot at by the Indians while in conflict with them, and he was the guide for General Howard during the war of 1878, was in the Birch creek fight and the north fork of the John Day fight. Fraternally he is affiliated with the I.O.O.F., and with the Encampment, and with the A.O.U.W., and with the K. of P. He is past grand of the I.O.O.F. and past workman in the A.O.U.W. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in September 2005 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.