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. 666.
 
GEORGE McKAY

     is one of the leading stock men of central Oregon and resides at Waterman,
in Wheeler county. He comes from Scotch ancestry and was born amid the rugged
hills of Scotland, on January 14, 1847. His father, Robert McKay, a native of
Aberdeenshire, Scotland, was a contractor and builder and died when this son,
George, was three years of age. He had married Mary Forbes, also a native of
Aberdeen, Scotland. She died in Canada. In 1855, our subject came with his
mother to Canada, crossing the ocean in a one hundred ton sailing vessel. The
trip consumed six weeks. A few years after arriving in Canada, Mrs. McKay
married Alexander Calder. Our subject was reared and educated in Canada,
completing his training in the commercial college. Then he went to New York city
intending to journey to Brazil but changed his mind and went to California, via
the isthmus.  After arriving on the Pacific slope he worked eighteen months on a
ranch, then went to the Willamette valley. He assisted in clearing the land
where east Portland now stands, during his first winter, then, went to Marion
county and rented land. He farmed for several years and finally, in 1877, the
wet weather destroyed his entire crop and he lost nearly all he had made. Then
he came to The Dalles and walked to his present location in what is now Wheeler
county. Mr. McKay, although having met with terrible reverses, was not
discouraged and took hold with vigor and ambition, and soon got another start.
He now owns nearly five thousand acres of land, winters usually from five to six
hundred head of cattle and has much other property. Mr. McKay formerly gave his
attention to raising horses with his cattle but he recently sold his brand,
there being about five hundred animals in the band. Now he gives his entire
attention to handling cattle and has some very fine specimens. He also leases
about four hundred acres of land to tenants for grain raising. It is of interest
to note, in this connection, that Mr. McKay raised the noted horse, Oregon
Beauty, and also Linus, two of the most famous horses on record. He sold Oregon
Beauty just before he left the Willamette valley for a very small sum, she being
a colt and just weaned. When developed, both of these horses had manes and tails
that swept the ground. The man who purchased Oregon Beauty from Mr. McKay, sold
her for fifteen hundred dollars, then she was sold for twelve thousand dollars
and some time after that her owner refused twenty thousand dollars in cash for
her.  She came to her death in a fire on Long Island, New York. It is said of
Oregon Beauty, that she was the most beautiful horse that we have a record of.
Linus is now owned by a large horse breeding establishment in Ohio. In addition
to the property mentioned, we wish to note that Mr. McKay has erected a fine
large hotel at Waterman, which will doubtless become well patronized as soon as
its excellencies become known. There are many attractions which will draw
tourists and health seekers and Mr. McKay is preparing in a wise and proper
manner to develop the country and furnish everything that is needed.
     In January, 1899, Mr. McKay married Miss Leander Smith, a native of
Missouri. Eight months after her marriage, he was called to mourn her death.
     Politically, Mr. McKay is a Republican and is a man of influence. He has
been delegate to the state conventions and in 1903 was a delegate to the
stockmen's convention at Portland. He is a member of the National Stockman's
Association at Portland and is considered one of the most successful and
skillful stockmen of the county.
     Mr. McKay has one sister, Mary, the wife of James Howden, a retired farmer
in Ontario. When our subject came to this part of the country, it was wild and
unsettled and he knows well the labors incident to a pioneer life. He has
succeeded not only in making a fortune for himself and also in opening up the
country but is to be commended upon his public spirited labors and the
generosity that he has exhibited.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in March 2007 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.