Hines, H. K. "An Illustrated History of the State of Oregon." Chicago: Lewis Pub. Co. 1893. p. 519. FRANCIS FELLER one of the most enterprising and prosperous farmers of French Prairie, Marion county, is a native of Loraine, France, born July 28, 1840. He is of French ancestry and was reared and educated in his native land until his fifteenth year. In 1855 his father and family emigrated to the United States and settled in the State of Illinois. In 1857 he came by water to Portland, Oregon, and from there direct to French Prairie and began his career as a farm hand. In 1863 he went to the mines in Idaho, engaged in placer mining for a year, made some money, as in one single day he took out $800, and for two weeks in succession made $1,000 per week for his share. In the fall of 1864 our subject returned to French Prairie and attended school for three months, devoting the most of his time to the study of mathematics. Before going to the mines in Idaho he had become acquainted with a beautiful and estimable young lady, a Miss Rheumah Whitney, a native daughter of French Prairie, born October 15, 1847. She was the daughter of Mr. William Whitney, and English gentleman and one of the most prominent farmers and pioneers of French Prairie, who came here in 1847. To this charming young lady our subject was married March 12, 1865. His father had become the owner of from 4,000 to 5,000 acres of land and he gave each of his children$1,000 and applied it on the land if they bought it from him, they paying him six percent on the remaining debt. Mr. and Mrs. Feller obtained 420 acres of the land and Mr. Feller paid cash for the balance, over $1,000. On this choice property our subject and wife began married life. They worked hard, improved it and built upon it and prospered. In 1875 Mr. Feller sold it to one of his brothers-in-law and purchased 860 acres, which is the beautiful farm upon which he now lives, on French Prairie. Of this property, by his intelligent effort, he has made one of the best farms in Oregon, and in 1888 he built a large and elegant farm residence, one of the best planned and finished in the State. Mr. Feller has plated a large hop garden, and in connection with his farming he largely engages in the growing of hops, and for this business he has built a large hop house in accordance with the most approved methods. Our subject is also a stockholder and vice-president of the Farmers' Warehouse Association and in this warehouse is stored their own grain until they are ready to ship it and sell. He also engaged in loaning his surplus funds. To Mr. and Mrs. Feller have been born nine children, as follows: James P. and William F. are married, reside on the farm and are managing the hop business. The other children are at home and are named Alfred, Elizabeth May, Nellie, Hattie, Annie, Charles and Ida. They all inherit a strong physical organization and are all through a very fine family, the youngest being two years of age. Mrs. Feller died of a cancerous ulcer October 1, 1892. She had been a most faithful wife and kind mother and had aided her husband in all of his undertakings, helped him to plan the fine residence, and the husband and children met with a very sad and serious loss when she was taken from them. As soon as her husband had learned of the nature of her trouble he sought aid from the most competent physicians in Oregon and the West, and then took her to California for medical treatment, but all was of no avail, and sadly the husband brought her back to her home, which she soon left to return no more. Mr. Feller is a member of the Masonic order and has held the important office of Secretary of his lodge and also belongs to the A.O.U.W. In politics he is a Democrat and has received from his party the nomination for the State Legislature and also for Commissioner of the county, but in both cases he was defeated, but was a strong and popular candidate, running far ahead of his ticket, as his party was largely in the minority. He is a well and thoroughly informed man on general topics and is as good a business man as a farmer, a citizen who has earned his prosperity. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in August 2006 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.