"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 626. Malheur County. HON. ROBERT A. LOCKETT This well known and prominent citizen of Malheur county is one of the largest stockmen of the county, a progressive and capable man, a pioneer of the state, a man of broad and stirring experiences, and withal, doubtless the person, more than any other, that laid the foundation and perfected the organization of Malheur county, and it is very fitting that he should be granted especial mention in this volume of his county's history. Robert A. was born in Henderson county, Kentucky, on November 29, 1838, being the son of Thomas I. and Euphemia (Agnew) Lockett. He was reared on a tobacco farm and assisted his father in the work of the farm and in portions of the year attended school in a log house, the same being furnished with split logs for seats and the virgin ground for floor. Here, young Lockett acquired the discipline in literary lore that fortified him for the walks of life, which, however, has constantly been augmented by a strong and inquiring mind in various lines of research. In 1852 he was called to mourn the death of his mother, and in 1858 he migrated to Clarke county, Missouri, and the following year went to Pike's Peak with ox teams and returned the next fall in the same manner. While at that famous mountain he followed mining and upon his return went to visit his father in the old Kentucky home, remaining there until the spring of 1862, when he pressed to the front and enlisted in Company A., Tenth Kentucky Cavalry, in the Confederate army, in General Morgan's command. He entered as private and at the battle of Murfreesboro, he was promoted to a first lieutenancy, the date being November, 1862. He was wounded at the battle of Stone River, caused by his horse falling on him. He was in many hotly contested skirmishes and in heavy battles and at the close of hostilities, he was discharged and on May 1, 1865, he started across the plains with a train of one hundred wagons, being elected captain. One skirmish with the Indians at Laramie plains resulted in wounding one white man, but no other casualties occurred, but the hardships of the arduous journey were many and serious. At Green river the train disbanded and our subject came on to Salt Lake and later to Boise, arriving at the latter place on October 20, 1865. The following spring he went to Idaho City and followed mining until 1871, then went to Umatilla county, Oregon, and there occurred the happy event of the marriage of Mr. Lockett and Miss Mary E., daughter of Arphaxad and Martha (Pinkerton) Owens, the nuptials taking place on March 22, 1871. In 1872 Mr. Lockett removed to the vicinity of the mouth of the Owyhee river and embarked in stock raising. In 1879 he came to lower Willow creek and has lived here ever since, his present home being one mile north from Dell. He owns about one thousand acres all fenced, and mostly bottom land and he raises great quantities of alfalfa hay, having abundance of water. He has a fine dwelling, good orchard, barns, outbuildings and a large herd of cattle and some horses. Before Malheur county was cut off from Baker county in the state legislature and it was he who dictated the bill which made a county of Malheur, and much credit is due him in his energetic and capable labors to accomplish this wise end. At the present time Mr. Lockett is active in politics and is justice of the peace. He and his estimable wife are parents of the following children: Marshall, married to Dora Stark, living in Portland; Hardin, married to Susie Sawyer; Hickman, married to Bertha Tague; Thomas J., at Ontario; Mattie, Lee, Clyde, Early. Mr. Lockett is a man of distinction both in labors of upbuilding the county and prosecuting private business enterprises, and also in his happy endowments of affability, keen foresight, wise judgment, and stanch integrity and he has won the esteem and confidence of all. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in February 2006 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.