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. 552.

CALEB W. CURL

     a retired farmer. living in Grass Valley, Oregon, was born in Carroll
county, Missouri, on October 31, 1829. He is to be mentioned among the leading
pioneers of the state of Oregon and his life has been fraught with great
hardships and extensive labors.  His parents James and Anna (Elliott) Curl, were
natives of Kentucky and Virginia, respectively. The father's father was born in
England and married a native German lady. The mother's ancestors were old
colonial people and early settlers in the New World. Our subject remained in
northwest Missouri until 1847, when he came across the plains with ox teams to
the Willamette Valley, accompanied by his parents. They took a donation claim in
Linn county and -there remained until the father's death on January 7, 1864.
When nineteen, our subject began to work for the neighboring farmers and
continued in that occupation until he was married, when he took a donation claim
in Linn county, also. After proving up on the property, he sold it and purchased
another and sold and bought several farms until December, 1884, when he came to
Sherman county and took a homestead and preemption. Later, he added a timber
culture claim and in all secured twelve hundred and eighty acres about six miles
east from Grass Valley. For nearly twenty years, Mr. Curl resided there, doing
general farming and stock raising and in 1902, he sold the entire property and
purchased a half block in Grass Valley, where he erected his. present dwelling.
It is a comfortable two-story, six room house. Mr. Curl is living a retired
life, enjoying the competence that his labors and skill have provided. He is a
man respected and esteemed by all and has done a lion's share in the development
of the country and deserves well the esteem which is generously accorded him.
     On March 21, 1850, in Polk county, Mr. Curl married Margaret E. Fulkerson,
who was born in Cole county, Missouri, on June 4, 1831. Her father, James M.
Fulkerson, was born in Virginia and came from an old colonial family. His father
served in the Revolution. The mother of Mrs. Cole was Mary R. (Miller)
Fulkerson, a native of Virginia and also descended from an old colonial family.
The Fulkersons remained in Missouri until 1847, when they crossed the plains
with ox teams to the Willamette valley. They were in the same train with Mr.
Curl, and as nearly all the people of the train were members of the Baptist
church, they organized a class on the road and had their services every Sunday.
Mrs. Fulkerson died at the crossing of the Green river, having suffered from a
severe attack of mountain fever. There was very much sickness in the train and
several deaths occurred. Mrs. Curl's brother, Frederick R., took the fever, and
Mr. Fulkerson, with two other families, remained while the others went on. After
nine days the young man, being then aged eighteen, died near Devil's Gate, on
the Sweetwater. The mother died a month later. Mrs. Curl's uncle, William Hines,
died at the first crossing  of the Snake river. Then her sister's husband died
in the Cascades. So much sickness had delayed them until they were very late and
their cattle had become so enfeebled that they were unable to pull the wagons.
Mrs. Curl unyoked nine in one day, that had given out. Finally, they were about
to give up in despair when a company, headed by Mr. Snelling, the son of Vincent
Snelling, a Baptist preacher, arrived with wagons and provisions. Mr. Fulkerson
had been carrying his daughter, who was ill, who was a large woman weighing one
hundred and seventy pounds, and was nearly exhausted, as were the rest of the
party. The end of these hardships occurred on the Barlow road over the Cascades
and just as they were descending the Laurel hill, succor came. Upon arriving in
the Willamette valley Mr. Fulkerson took a donation claim and gave his attention
to farming. Mr. Curl, the subject of our sketch, has three brothers living,
James M., near Lisle, Washington ; John, in Oregon ; and Thomas R., deceased,
Malheur county, Oregon. He also has three sisters ; Samirah, the widow of Lewis
Paine, of Dayton, Washington ; Parthana J., the widow of Joel Calavan, of Linn
county, Oregon ; and Martha, the widow of Robert Moorehead, of Oakland, Oregon.
Mrs. Curl has one brother, W. Holt, a retired farmer in Polk county, and three
sisters ; Sarah A., the widow of Ambrose Cain, Of Monmouth, Oregon ; Virginia
A., wife of Joshua McDaniel, a retired farmer in Polk county.; and Hannah R.,
the wife of Solomon Crowley, of Polk county. To Mr. and Mrs. Curl seven children
have been born, named as follows : James W., a farmer at Spangle, Washington;
Dr. Riley H., a dentist, at Albany, Oregon ; David H., at Lebanon, Oregon ; Dr.
Ambrose M., a dentist, at Weiser, Idaho ; Laughlin M., at Albany, Oregon ; Sarah
A., widow of Harry Gliesing, Grass Valley; Maggie, wife of Elmer F. Heath, a
merchant in Grass Valley.
     Mr. and Mrs. Curl are both members of the Baptist church and stanch
supporters of their faith. He has served at various times as road supervisor and
school trustee, and in politics he is a Democrat.
     In 1848 Mr. Curl enlisted in the Oregon State Militia and, saw service in
the Indian wars of that time. In 1856 he again enlisted and fought all through
the Cayuse wars until the savages were subdued. For this service he now receives
a pension from the government.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in June 2010 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.