Shaver, F. A., Arthur P. Rose, R. F. Steele, and A. E. Adams, compilers. "An Illustrated History of Central Oregon." ("Embracing Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam, Wheeler, Crook, Lake, & Klamath Counties") Spokane, WA: Western Historical Publishing Co., 1905. p. 592. HON. CLEMENS A. DANNEMAN was one of the earliest pioneers of Gilliam county and is today one of its worthiest and most prominent citizens. He was born in Germany, on October 13, 1835, the son of Jacob and Agnes (Wassenberg) Danneman, natives of Germany. The former was born in 1787 and the latter in 1795. The father died in 1850, being a well to do farmer. Our subject was well educated in his native country and when nineteen years of age migrated to the United States. He had but five dollars in cash when he landed in New York and went to work for wages so low that he barely made his board. Three months later we find him in Indiana where he worked for seven dollars per month for three years. In Germany he had been apprenticed to learn the mercantile business and had to pay fifty dollars per year for the privilege. After leaving the farm in Indiana he spent four years as bookkeeper in a mercantile establishment for which he received sixteen dollars per month. In 1861 Mr. Danneman enlisted in the First Indiana Cavalry as private and was soon promoted to first lieutenant. He was in the scouting and bushwhacking service for some time and fought in the battle of Pilot Knob, then at Fredericksburg, after which he was sent to Jacksonport, Arkansas. Next we find him at Helena, in the same state, where he had had some very hard fighting. During a scouting expedition two regiments of cavalry met the rear guard of General Price, on his retreat, and a severe fight ensued. Our subject received a canister shot wound in the knee of his right leg. He was then in command of a battery attached to the first Indiana Cavalry. For nine months after this he was confined in the hospital, before he could rejoin his command. After this his command was transferred to White river, then to Little Rock, finally at Pine Bluffs, Arkansas, he was honorable discharged. Immediately following that, he went to his home in Spencer county, Indiana, and was promptly elected sheriff of the county, serving in that capacity for four years. After that, he was engaged in various lines of business for six years, and finally in 1879 came west to Oregon. In the same year he settled in Gilliam county, taking a homestead and timber culture about thirteen miles north from where Condon now stands. He devoted himself to farming and stock-raising and has continued uninterruptedly in this occupation since that time. In it all he has made a splendid success and is now one of the wealthy men in this pat of the state. He owns one thousand acres of as fertile land as is found and his timber culture claim is the best in the county. He has one of the best modern residences of the county and his entire estate is improved in a splendid manner. Mr. Danneman has five thousand acres of land in the mountains besides this estate, which he uses for summer range. He has about two hundred and fifty head of cattle besides other stock and property. Mr. Danneman has one brother, Bernard, still living in Germany, and one sister, Bernardina Boecker, in Alsace. In 1878, Mr. Danneman married Miss Ella Bashan, a native of Kentucky, and to them three children have been born, Cary A., Bessie G., and Mary C. Mr. Danneman is a stanch Republican, having cast his first vote for John C. Fremont. He was recently elected to the state legislature of Oregon on the Republican ticket and served his district in a most creditable manner. In this, Mr. Danneman demonstrated the fact that he was capable in the halls of legislature as in the business world and earned many encomiums. He is affiliated with the I.O.O.F. It is of great interest to know that when Mr. Danneman first came to this county he had no means at all. He passed the hardships of pioneer life without capital and has so conducted himself that he has not only gained a large holding of wealth but has also won the esteem and confidence of all who know him, and has the pleasure of reviewing a life well spent. ******************* 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.