"Portrait and Biographical Record of Portland and Vicinity, Oregon." Authors: "a
compilation of this work....by a number of writers".  Chapman Publishing Co;
Chicago, 1903. p. 548.

WILLIAM F. ROLSTON

     now deceased, was a veteran of the Mexican and of the Civil war and was a
man ever loyal in citizenship and trustworthy in business life. He was born in
Hart county, Ky., October 16, 1825, and there upon a farm was reared to manhood.
At the outbreak of the Mexican war he manifested his loyalty to his country by
volunteering for service and throughout the period of hostilities he remained
with the army. In 1849 he removed to Missouri, settling in Ray county, near
Richmond, where he carried on agricultural pursuits until the Civil war was
inaugurated, at which time he enlisted in the Fifty-first Missouri Infantry
serving gallantly throughout the war for the preservation of the Union. He held
the rank of lieutenant and was ever a loyal defender of the stars and stripes.
While living in Missouri he was also concerned with public affairs of the state
and represented his district in the general assembly.
     In 1853 Mr. Rolston was united in marriage to Miss Alice J. Gilpin, a
native of Lawrenceburg, Ky., and of this union seven children were born, the
surviving members of the family being Frank; Fannie, the wife of C. H. Russell;
Myrtle, the wife of John Bates; Samuel; and Lulu, the wife of Vitto Davenport.
     The year 1875 witnessed the arrival of Mr. Rolston in Oregon. He made his
way across the plains to the northwest, settling in Yamhill county, where he
rented land for three years and then purchased one hundred and thirty-five
acres. This was wild and unimproved and he cleared and developed it, as well as
other tracts, and upon the home farm he remained until 1890, when he removed to
Gaston, where he became proprietor of a hotel, and to the conduct of a
hostelry he devoted his energies until his life's labors were ended in death. He
was an extensive and prosperous farmer and well known in business circles for
his fair dealing. In his political views a Republican he took an active interest
in affairs pertaining to the general good and he was a valiant member of the
Grand Army of the Republic. For fifty-five years he held membership in the
Christian Church, to which his wife also belonged, and his life was in
consistent harmony with his professions. He died April 13, 1897, respected by
all who knew him.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in November 2009 by Diana Smith.
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.