Lockley, Fred. "History of the Columbia River Valley, From The Dalles to the Sea." Vol. 2. S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1928. p. 899. BRUCE F. PURDY Earnest, purposeful and industrious, Bruce F. Purdy converted his opportunities into tangible assets, achieving gratifying success as an agriculturist, and is now living retired in Forest Grove. He served in both the Washington and Oregon legislatures and is widely and favorably known throughout the Columbia River valley. A product of Oregon, he was born in Salem, near Spongs ferry, October 16, 1854, and is a member of one of the oldest families of the state. His father, Aaron Purdy, was born in Pennsylvania and left that state in his youth, going to Ohio, where he married Belinda Bucklew, a native of Maryland. They lived in Indiana for a time, afterward migrating to Michigan, and in March, 1847, started for Oregon with their family of three children. The household effects were placed in one of the old-time "prairie schooners" and when they left Michigan they had two ox teams and two cows. They crossed the Missouri river near the present site of Omaha with a train of about twelve wagons and later were joined by other emigrants, becoming members of a large caravan. Aaron Purdy had purchased a large supply of provisions for the trip and after paying the ferryman had only fifty cents left. When the trail divided he chose the northern route, while some of the party went south to California. Late in October, 1847, the Purdys arrived at The Dalles, where they left their oxen, and there met Dr. Whitcomb, who was taking a load of provisions to a mission. The Purdy family intended to complete the remainder of the journey on horseback and on learning of this plan Towner Savage, of Salem, an uncle of Bruce F. Purdy, hurried to The Dalles to advise them to take a boat down the river. John and Lute Savage obtained a boat at Salem and proceeded down the river to The Dalles. In this boat the Purdy family floated down the Columbia to their destination and their cows were driven to that point by two Smith boys but they never recovered the oxen, which were probably eaten by soldiers during the Indian troubles. Aaron Purdy spent the winter on the John Savage place near Salem and in the spring filed on a donation land claim six miles north of Salem, near Mission bottom. He cleared and developed a portion of the place and remained there until 1866, when he went to Waitsburg, Washington, purchasing a half interest in the old Wait mill. Mr. Purdy was an expert millwright as well as a capable agriculturist and had conducted a grist mill in North Salem during the early days. While residing there he was elected justice of the peace, filling the office for many years, and was also active in Masonic affairs. He operated the Waitsburg mill until his death in the spring of 1867 and was long survived by the mother, who passed away in 1893. The children born to them in the east were: Hannah, who married Lute Savage, now deceased, and became the mother of two daughters, Bertha and Laura. Ellen, who is Mrs. E. J. Harding, of Gervais, Oregon, and has reached the advanced age of ninety years. they became the parents of six children, Frank, Laura, Jenkins, Charles, Amy and Gertrude; and Jasper, who died at The Dalles, leaving two children, Frank and Bertha. After establishing their home in Oregon, Mr. and Mrs. Purdy became the parents of two children; Augusta, who is the widow of George Smith and lives at The Dalles; and Bruce F. of Forest Grove. The last named was reared to the age of twelve years on the homestead in Marion county, Oregon, and attended the district schools of that locality and the "Old Institute," which stood near the present site of Willamette University. His studies were continued in Waitsburg, which he left in October, 1867, and returned to the vicinity of Salem, where he spent about nine years. In 1875, when a young man of twenty-one, he returned to the state of Washington in company with his mother and pre-empted land near Goldendale, also taking up a timber claim. He became one of the large wheat growers of that district and was also numbered among its leading stock raisers. His success was based upon scientific methods, judicious management and tireless energy and the ranch reflected his enterprise and thrift. for sixteen years he cultivated the place near Goldendale and in 1892 came to Forest Grove. Mr. Purdy bought and sold farms in various localities and still owns property near Forest Grove, while he also has valuable ranches in the state of Washington and in the Imperial valley of California. He rents most of the land, which returns to him a large income, and since 1918 has lived retired in Forest Grove, enjoying the ease and comfort which are the reward of tasks well done and year of toil. Mr. Purdy was married in Goldendale in 1880 to Miss Cora A. McCune, who was born in Missouri and came to Oregon with her aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. George Walkington, who had formerly lived in California. Mr. and Mrs. Purdy became the parents of nine children: one who died in infancy; Nellie, now Mrs. George Newman, who lives near White Salmon, in Klickitat county, Washington, and has six children; Emma, who is the wife of Leo Kolkoskie, of San Francisco, California; Lois, the wife of Frank Hewitt, who is engaged in ranching in the Imperial valley of California, and who has become the father of one child; Clifton F., who is married and cultivates a farm in the Imperial valley; Bruce, who makes his home in the same valley and who has a wife and three children; Sidney, who lives in the Imperial valley; Mrs. Alta Phillips, who lives in Miami, Arizona, and is the mother of three children; and Helen, at home. Mr. Purdy was a member of the first state legislature of Washington and occupied a seat in the Oregon house of representatives from 1893 until 1897. At all times he exhibited a zealous and watchful regard of public rights and his support of a measure was an indication of his firm belief in its efficacy as a factor in good government. He is now an appraiser for Veterans of the World war, representing Washington county on the state aid commission, and his fraternal affiliations are with the Masons and the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Purdy has experienced the various phases of pioneer existence in the Pacific northwest and his conversation is enriched with interesting reminiscences of the past. In the work of progress and improvement he has played an important part and an upright, well spent life has enabled him to win and retain the esteem, confidence and goodwill of his fellowmen. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in September 2006 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.