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. 773.
 
THOMAS H. LaFOLLETTE

     Crook county has some of the leading and most wealthy stockmen of the state
of Oregon. Among this number we mention the gentleman whose name appears above
and who has labored here for years and won that success which industry and
practical wisdom merit. His residence is in Prineville, where he oversees his
interests and he is considered one of the leading citizens of the county.
     Thomas H. LaFollette was born in Indiana, on March 1, 1853. His father,
Jerome B. La Follette, was also born in Indiana. And his father, the grandfather
of our subject, came to Indiana from Virginia in very early days. In 1862, our
subject accompanied his parents across the plains with ox teams to Marion
county, Oregon, and in 1871, they came to Crook county and the father took land
where Prineville now stands and engaged in the stock business. He became a
prominent stockman in this vicinity and is one of the leading citizens of
Central Oregon. He married Sophia J. Howard, a native of Tennessee who went with
her parents to Indiana in early days. The marriage occurred in Indiana and Mrs.
LaFollette accompanied her husband across the plains. The mother is still living
in this vicinity, but the father died in 1884. The common schools of Oregon
furnished most of the educational training of our subject and about 1871 he
commenced operations for himself in what is now Crook county, taking his
father's stock on shares. He continued in that business until 1896, when he
formed a partnership with B. F. Allen and together they are making a specialty
of fine blooded sheep. They now have eight thousand first class Merino sheep,
some of them being from the best strains known. They keep constantly on hand
young blooded animals that sell for breeding purposes and the firm is well known
among the leading sheep men of the northwest. In 1876 Mr. LaFollette married
Margaret J. Allen, who was born in Illinois and came to Oregon via the isthmus
when ten years of age. The children born to this union are Mrs. Tillie Adamson,
Leo B., Guy, and Frank.  Mr. and Mrs. LaFollette are among the leading people of
the country, have showed those qualities of substantiality and worth which are
so indispensable in building up the country and their efforts have always been
valuable in bringing about the consummation of movements that are for the
benefit and advancement of the community. They are kind, generous people, well
liked and have hosts of friends.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in March 2012 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.