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. 585.
 
GEORGE W. RINEHART

     a leading and substantial citizen of Gilliam county, resides at Condon,
where he owns a good residence, besides much other property. He comes from one
of the largest families on the coast and has lived here for over a half century.
Thus it is shown that he has passed through-all those trying days of pioneer
existence and dangers, which were so trying to the hearts of even the bravest
pioneers and to endure which required a strong body and a brave heart. He has
done his part well in all these thing's and is now well entitled to the rest
while he spends the golden days of his life amid the comforts which his labor
for the years previous has provided in abundance.
     George W. Rinehart was born in Adams county, Illinois, in 1830. In those
days even the now populous Illinois was a wild county and the adversity and
hardships attendant always on the pioneer were to be borne there, too. His
father, Louis Rinehart, was born in Kentucky, of the true frontier stock and was
a man of excellent standing and integrity. He crossed the plains with teams to
Lane county in 1852 and is one of the history makers of the Willamette valley.
He married Miss Elizabeth Ellis, a native of Tennessee, who accompanied her
husband in all his journeys and labors. For twenty-two years our subject dwelt
in Illinois and then, having received a good education and married, he
determined to try the west, believing it held good fortune for him. In due time
he finished the arduous journey across the plains with his young wife in 1852
and they selected a donation claim near Eugene, Oregon, which was the family
home until 1886.  During those days many tales of hardship could be told, which
would fill large volumes, but they weathered the hardships and progressed in
prosperity slowly.  One instance of the condition, of things is seen when we
hear from Mr. Rinehart of the scarcity of provisions, which compelled them to
live one winter on boiled wheat. In 1886, Mr. Rinehart came with his family east
of the mountains and selected a half section near where Condon is now located.
They settled there and made a nice farm of it, and later removed to town, where
they now reside retired. He still owns his property in the valley and the fine
farm near town here, besides other property.
     In 1851, in Iowa, Mr. Rinehart married Miss Martha Davis, a native of
Tennessee, and the daughter of Harman and Martha (Shumate) Davis, both natives
of Tennessee and pioneers across the plains in 1852. Mr. Rinehart has twelve
brothers and sisters and his family is one of the large and influential ones of
the coast. He is a wealthy and highly respected citizen, and with his worthy
wife, receives the good will and admiration of all who know them.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in January 2011 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.