Shaver, F. A., Arthur P. Rose, R. F. Steele, and A. E. Adams, compilers.  "An
Illustrated History of Central Oregon." ("Embracing Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam,
Wheeler, Crook, Lake, & Klamath Counties")  Spokane, WA: Western Historical
Publishing Co., 1905.  p. 789.
 
RICHARD W. BREESE

     who lives twelve miles out from Prineville on the Burns road, has wrought
out a success for himself here that is well worth the commendation of all lovers
of industry and thrift. A detailed account of his life will be interesting and
instructive and with pleasure we append the same.  Richard W. Breese was born in
Butler county, Ohio, on January 15, 1854. His father, John Breese, a native of
England, came to America in 1850 and settled on a farm in Ohio. In 1856, he
moved to Jennings county, Indiana, and in 1868, moved to Livingston county,
Illinois. In 1880, we find him again journeying and this time to Linn county,
Oregon. Four years later he left that country and came to Crook county and here
he remained until his death. He was a very extensive farmer in the east and also
operated here in the west. During the time of the Civil War, he was captain of
the home guards in Indiana and assisted to repel Morgan at Madison, that state.
He married Mary Rooke, a native of Scotland came to America in 1850, their
wedding occurring in Ohio. Mrs. Breese, came from a prominent and well-to-do
family. Sir George Rooke, the English admiral who had charge of the English and
Dutch forces that captured Gibraltar in 1704, is the great-great-grandfather of
Mr. Breese. Our subject was educated at home, being well trained in the ordinary
English branches and accompanied his father on all of the journeys prior to
1876. In that year, he came to Linn county, Oregon, where he was engaged in
farming and stock raising until, 1889. That year he sought out a location in
Crook county, taking a homestead near where he lives at present. Since that
time, he has purchased land until he owns an estate of eleven hundred acres.
During the past fifteen years, he has given his undivided attention to the
improvement of his estate and to handling cattle, the result being that he has
gained a large amount of first class property and is one of the leading citizens
of Crook county.
     ln 1878, Mr. Breese married Miss Charlotte Gray, who was born in Linn
county, Oregon, the daughter of John and Isabel (Rooke) Gray, natives of
Kentucky and Scotland, respectively. Mr. Gray crossed the plains with ox teams
in 1852 and took a donation claim in Linn county. He became one of the prominent
citizens of the. state and was a strong opponent to what was known as the Golden
Circle, being more favorably inclined to the Union League. To Mr. and Mrs.
Breese two children have been born, Mary and Ralph.
     Like many of the most substantial men of our country, Mr. Breese started
without any capital whatever except bright hopes, strong hands and an unlimited
supply, of courage and stability. He has won his way to his present prosperous
condition by virtue of his own industry and sagacity and has always left an
unsullied reputation. He has many friends, is well known and stands high.


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