Hines, H. K. "An illustrated history of the state of Oregon." Chicago: Lewis Pub. Co., 1893. Washington Co. WILLIAM W. GRAHAM, an honored Oregon pioneer of 1847, and an esteemed farmer of Washington county, was born in McNary county, Tennessee, November 7, 1821. His father, David GRAHAM, was a native of North Carolina, who married Miss Margaret PARKS, a native of the same State. The ancestors of both families emigrated from Scotland to Ireland, and from there to the colonies in America. Six children were born to them in Tennessee, and when our subject was six years old the family removed to Indiana, where they resided two years; and then to Illinois, where the parents remained until death. In 1838 our subject removed to southwest Missouri, and remained there five years working by the month, receiving $10 wages per month, and fifty cents per day. From there he went to Wisconsin, but in 1844 removed to Iowa, where he took up 160 acres of Government land. He was married August 26, 1846, to Miss Catherine MARION, a native of Tennessee, born September 15, 1826, daughter of Samuel MARION. The April following the marriage they started with ox teams to make the long journey across the plains to Oregon, a single brother of Mr. GRAHAM coming with them. They experienced the trials and privations incident to the journey with ox teams across the plains. Although they started on the 26th of April, they did not arrive at Vancouver until the 7th of November. Mrs. GRAHAM came down the river in the boat, while Mr. GRAHAM drove the stock along the bank. While they had only a tent for a shelter, winter came on and Mr. GRAHAM was taken down with the measles and camp fever, and until he recovered from these he was not able to build even the little shanty he afterward put up, hence their first winter in Oregon was very uncomfortable and they suffered a great deal. In the spring, Mr. GRAHAM came out to where Beaverton now is and engaged in work, but in the same spring, 1849, our subject left his wife at Oregon City and went to the gold diggings in California, and mined on the middle fork of the American river. He obtained some gold here, his largest dayís work being worth $82. In August of that year he returned to his wife, bringing his gold dust with him, and then took up the donation claim on which he has since resided. Here he built a little log house in the forest and began the life of an Oregon farmer. On his 640 acres he worked hard and his industry was rewarded with prosperity. As the years went by he became the owner of a very valuable farm. The date of his location on the place was November, 1849, and here Mr. GRAHAM built a sawmill and conducted it in connection with his farm for a number of years, running it until 1868. The log house had given away in the meantime to the substantial frame house of the well-to-do agriculturist. Mr. GRAHAM has aided to his income by buying and selling land, and also by loaning his surplus money. All his life in politics he has been a stanch Democrat and has taken a great deal of interest in county affairs, his ability and judgment being so appreciated by his party that they made him their candidate for County Commissioner. This did not result in his election as his party was in the minority, although he received a flattering vote. On August 25, 1861, their only child was born to them, who they named William P. To this son they have given good educational advantages and he has always resided with his parents, although in 1888 he married. The lady of his choice was Mrs. M. COX, a native of Iowa, born in 1863, a daughter of Mr. Calvin KAISER. Mr. GRAHAM and son are carrying on general farming, and have a large and paying hop yard. The subject of our sketch has made a good record in Oregon, having been one of the first settlers in the section, in which he has since resided. He is a thoroughly well-informed man, and kind and obliging to his neighbors, among whom he has a reputation for sterling honesty, and no words of ours could give him a better reputation. Submitted by: Sandy, scarletgen@comcast.net