Hines, H. K. "An Illustrated History of the State of Oregon." Chicago: Lewis
Pub. Co. 1893.  p. 748.
 
PETER KINDT

     a respected Oregon pioneer of 1853, and a successful farmer of Washington
county, was born in the State of Pennsylvania, June 27, 1827. His parents,
Charles and Dora (Home!) Kindt, were both natives of the same State, and the
ancestors of the family had come in early days to Pennsylvania from Germany. Mr.
Kindt was the fourth child of the family of seven children, was reared in his
native State, where he had but limited opportunities for education, and in 1847
he removed to Ohio.
     In 1850 our subject went to Indiana and worked on farms, breaking land, and
two years later he moved to Missouri, thus moving westward by degrees. Missouri
did not suit him, and he started across the plains for Oregon in 1853. The party
with whom he was traveling crossed the Missouri river April 25, in a ferryboat,
and May 1 they crossed Elkhorn river, having built a raft, on which they put
the wagons and families. In the party was a great Michigander, who was having
everything his own way, and just before sunset he began to drive the cattle into
the water. The sun shone in their eyes so that they could not see how to swim,
and there was great danger of their being drowned. The great blustering fellow
began to whip Mr. Kindt's cattle, and at this our subject objected, and they had
some decided words upon the subject. He found, however, that although he was a
big man, he had tackled the wrong man, for Mr. Kindt was peaceable, but would
not be imposed upon, and soon the burly son of Michigan was thoroughly thrashed.
After this episode, no one objected to Mr. Kindt's plan to permit the cattle to
wait until morning for the crossing, when it was safely accomplished.
     During all the first part of the journey the rivers were swollen, and for
three weeks the clothing was wet all the time. They packed the animals, and then
had to swim with them.  They crossed the river at Portland August 28, on
Stephen's mule ferry, and from there came out to Ames Chappel's, in Washington
county, near the present site of Beaverton, from which place they prospected for
a donation claim.  Mr. Kindt looked the country over as far as the Rogue river,
and in the meantime worked at whatever he could find to do. He finally selected
the 320 acres of land, where he now resides, and purchased the right to it from
a Mr. Stingley for $300, which  money Mr. Kindt had earned by working by the
day. The property had a shanty on it, and five acres of it was cleared.  He has
made a very excellent farm of this property, erecting on it a comfortable
residence, barn and all the outbuildings necessary to the conducting of a
first-class farm.
     April 7, 1853, just before starting on his long journey across the plains,
he married Miss Phoebe Davies, a native of Indiana, born April 30, 1837,
daughter of Mr. Miles Davies, who came with his family to Oregon at the same
time that Mrs. Kindt crossed the plains with her young husband. Since her
marriage she has been his faithful wife, devoted to his interests, and aiding
him in every enterprise. Much of his success in life is due to her industry
and economy.  Five children were born to their union, three of whom are living,
as follows: Dora Jane, widow of Mr. Carl M. Eliott, and resides in Hillsboro,
being a teacher in the schools of that city; Charles Edgar, is a lawyer of
Portland; and John 0., is at home with his father. Abraham died in his second
year, and Laura in her fifth year. Before the great civil war Mr. Kindt voted
the Democratic ticket, but since the formation of the Republican party has been
a stanch supporter of it. He has taken an active part in the politics of the
city and State, and has always aided and forwarded every educational improvement
in his district, being one of its officials a greater portion of the time. Mrs.
Kindt is a member of the Christian Church, and both she and her husband are
worthy and influential farmers, who enjoy the esteem and respect of all who know
them.

*******************

Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in August 2007 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.