"Portrait & Biographical Record of the Willamette Valley Oregon."  Chapman 
Publishing Company, 1903. p. 1250.
 
ZIM HINSHAW

     On the banks of the Luckiamute, in one of the finest locations in Falls
City, Zim Hinshaw has erected a modern residence which would be a credit to any
city in the state. Here he is enjoying a partial respite from a very strenuous
life, although engaged in the real estate business, and in overlooking a variety
of personal interests. A native son of Oregon, he was born on the old claim on
Mill creek, Douglas precinct, March 28, 1851, and his entire life has been spent
in this county. His father, Isaac, was born in the state of Ohio, removed
therefrom to Indiana, and crossed the plains to Oregon in 1845. His journey was
accomplished with the time-honored ox-teams, and consumed the greater part of
seven months. Locating in Kings valley he took up a donation claim, but sold the
squatter's right and came to Mill creek, near Sheridan, where he took up a claim
of six hundred and forty acres. In time he proved up on his land, cleared a
considerable part, and died there in 1873, at the age of sixty-seven years. He
was a man of great force of character, and some peculiarities, one of which was
a decided reluctance to owe any man. He had a great memory, and was a well known
politician, although he never went further than a general support of Democracy,
steadfastly declining to hold office. His father, Elias, was a farmer before
him, and lived and died in the east. Isaac was twice married, and was the father
of fifteen children, three being born of the first union. Of the twelve children
in the last family, and born to Melissa (Buell) Hinshaw, Zim is the oldest. Mrs.
Hinshaw was born in Iowa, a daughter of Elias Buell, who crossed the plains in
1847, settling on Mill creek, Polk county. He was a millwright by trade, and ran
a saw and grist mill on Mill creek for many years.
     In his youth Zim Hinshaw had but scant opportunity for acquiring an
education, for the farm demanded the care of all of the children who were old
enough to work on it. He lived at home until 1883, and that summer bought a
quarter interest in the mill, which he afterward conducted for seven years. Then
he sold and bought a farm of ninety-five acres two miles north of the old mill,
where he farmed for about six years. This venture proved a losing one, for he
put much of his land in hops, and lost all that he had and five hundred dollars
more. In 1896 he took a homestead on the Siletz river in Polk county, and farmed
on the one hundred and sixty acres until February, 1902. He then sold his farm
and came to Falls City, where he has since engaged in the real estate business.
In the meantime he has invested heavily in town and country property, and among
other desirable possessions owns the Falls City Hotel, which he rents and the
Falls City Saw Mill site, with its forty-foot falls, and horse-power of three
hundred and fifty-six. He also built a two-story building, in which is a barber
shop on the lower floor and his own office on the upper, and he owns quite a
number of town lots, and has built a jewelry store 16x30 feet, ground
dimensions. His efforts in the state of his birth have therefore been of the
practical and substantial kind, and have resulted in large financial returns.
     In Ballston, Polk county, Ore., Mr. Hinshaw married Mahala E. Syron, a
native of the town, and daughter of Peter Syron. Mr. Syron is one of the pioneer
blacksmiths of that town, and came to Oregon in 1852. Besides following his
trade in Ballston he has overseen the management of a large farm near by,
although his seventy-seven years entitle him to rest from active life at the
present time. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hinshaw, of whom
William is a stock and hay-raiser of Rock creek, Polk county ; Mittie M. is the
wife of A. G. Stewart, a stock-rancher of the vicinity of Gaston, Ore. ; Peter
was accidentally shot while out hunting, January 4, 1902, and his death resulted
; Alta is living at home ; and Charles also is living with his parents. Mr.
Hinshaw is independent in politics, and is at present a member of the city
council. He is fraternally identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows
of Falls City ; Sheridan Lodge No. 64, A. F. & A. M.; and Knights of the
Maccabees of Falls City. With his family, he is a member of the Baptist Church.
     
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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.