Carey, Charles Henry.  "History of Oregon." Vol. 2. Chicago-Portland: Pioneer
Historical Pub. Co., 1922.  p. 694.  
 
ANDREW M. ELAM

     One of the pioneer agriculturists of Umatilla county, whose labor for many
years contributed toward the development of this section of the state, is Andrew
M. Elam, who is now living retired in his home in Milton, enjoying the fruits of
his former industry.  He is a native of Tennessee, his birth having occurred in
McNary county on the 4th of June, 1840, a son of Andrew and Margaret Elam.
     Andrew M. Elam spent his boyhood days in Tennessee, where he received what
education the times afforded.  He later left the parental roof and started out
into the world on his own account, going to Texas, where he engaged in the stock
business at Ft. Worth and the Brazos river country.  He enlisted in the
Confederate army in 1861, belonging at first to the infantry but late being
transferred to the cavalry.  He participated in some of the important battles of
Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana, and at the close of the war returned to
Granbury, Texas, and resumed the stock business.  In the spring of 1865 he was
married and a year later started out for the northwest.  The journey was made
overland with mule teams, requiring six months to make the trip, and on the way
they experienced many Indian scares and Mr. Elam clearly recalls the attack on
Ft. Kearny, although he did not participate in any of the fighting.  Arriving in
Oregon, he settled where Milton now stands, remaining there for one year.  He
then spent eight years in Portland, conducting a livery stable, and after
selling this business returned to Milton and purchased sixty acres of land.  He
later bought an additional eighty-acre tract, to which he added from time to
time, until he was owner of five hundred and sixty acres, well improved.  For
eight years Mr. Elam was active in the conduct of his farm, which he now leases.
Mr. Elam was the first mayor of the town of Milton, being elected to that office
when the town was organized.  During his administration he promoted many plans
for the improvement of the community.  He has been prominent in the business, as
well as the agricultural circles of Milton, and was one of the organizers of the
Peacock Milling Company, which he managed for some fourteen years and also
traveled for the company.  He built the Elam block, the Farmers Security Bank
and other buildings and was one of the organizers of the First National Bank, of
which he has been a director since its organization.  The success of the bank
seemed assured from the outset and its business has increased until it now
extends over a large territory.  Mr. Elam owns one of the fine residences in
Milton and is also in possession of much town property.  He has seen the country
grow from a vast prairie to a highly cultivated farm land and during the early
days of his residence here he often participated in Indian troubles and
skirmishes which took place on the very land where now stand prosperous and
progressive towns.
     On November 8, 1865, Mr. Elam was married to Miss Martha Frazier, a
daughter of William and Paulina (Williams) Frazier, and a native of Harding
county, Tennessee.  Mrs. Elam removed to Texas with her parents at an early date
and later crossed the plains with them.  She and her husband first settled in
Milton with her parents, and there her parents resided until death.  The father
of Mrs. Elam purchased government land and he was foremost in establishing the
town of Milton.  He built a log home on some of this land, donated a sufficient
amount of ground for a post office, and gave seven acres for the Miller mill.
For some years previous to his removal to Milton Mr. Elam ran stock over to the
Snake river country.  Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Elam:  Mrs. J. H.
Piper of Milton, and Bertie E.
     Since age conferred upon Mr. Elam the right of franchise he has been a
stanch supporter of the democratic party, in the activities of which he has
taken a prominent part.  His fraternal affiliation is with the Masons.  Mr. Elam
is a public-spirited citizen, well known throughout the county as one of its
most enterprising men and at all times ready to give the benefit of his
influence to any measure seeking the advancement of the best interests of his
state and community.
 
 
 
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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in October 2005 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.