Clark, Robert Carlton, Ph.D. "History of the Willamette Valley Oregon."  Vol. 2.
Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company, 1927. p. 28.
 
HENRY ANKENY
 
     Among the Oregon pioneers whose commanding forms loom large through the
mist of years was Henry Ankeny, a power in constructive development and
evolution and one of the foremost Masons of the state.  His success was rated
not alone by material gain, for he was a man of irreproachable character
admired, respected and honored by all who were brought within the sphere of  his
influence latter part of his life was spent in Eugene, and his demise in
December, 1906, was mourned throughout the state.
 
     A native of Virginia, he was born in 1844 and was but four years old when
his father, Alexander Ankeny, migrated to California, choosing the overland
route. The father was endowed with the courage, strength and ability of the true
pioneer and that buoyant spirit which never succumbs to defeat.   About 1851 he
In ought his family to Portland, Oregon, which was then a small settlement, and
soon afterward took up a homestead in Yamhill county.  He improved the land,
which h tilled for a few years, and then returned to Portland.   He opened a
meat market in the Rose city and also became a dealer in other commodities.
Subsequently went to Idaho and embarked in merchandising at Lewiston.   He
prospered in the undertaking and expanded the scope of his activities, opening
branch stores in three nearby towns.
   
     Henry Ankeny carried the mail on horseback from Yamhill to Eugene when a
boy of nine and aided his father in all of his operations.  In 1868 he came to
Portland to look after his father's interests and at that time purchased a ranch
of five thousand, five hundred acres ten miles south of Salem.  He cleared a
large portion of the land, which he cultivated for nineteen years, and engaged
in general farming and stock raising on an extensive scale.  About 1887 Mr.
Ankeny sold the place and came to southern Oregon to supervise the management of
a mine in which he and his father were financially interested.  It was located
near Ashland, and he remained in charge of the property until about 1896, when
he moved to Eugene in order to give his children better educational advantages.
He retained his holdings in the mine, which proved a profitable investment, and
inherited the business acumen and executive force which characterized his
father's commercial career.
 
     In 1866 was solemnized the marriage of Henry Ankeny and Miss Cordelia L.
Stryker, who was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin.  Her parents were Henry Francis and
Mary (Hart) Stryker, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of
Maine. Her father, who was a physician, crossed the continent in 1852 in search
of a climate which would restore his health. He settled in Portland, Oregon,
where he engaged in merchandising for about three years, and then transferred
his business to Vancouver, Washington, in which city he resided until his
demise. Mrs. Ankeny remained at home until her marriage and became the mother of
nine children, three of whom died at an early age. The oldest daughter,
Cordelia, attended the University of Oregon, in which other members of the
family were also educated, and is now the wife of John Orth. They make their
home in Med-ford, Oregon, and have two daughters. Cora, the next in order of
birth, married Frank Crump, of Medford, and they also have two children. Nannie
is the wife of Roscoe Cant rail, of Klamath Falls, Oregon, and the mother of
four children. Frank also lives at Klamath Falls and is employed in the mills.
Dollie married Alfred Miller, of Medford, and they have two children. Gladys,
the youngest member of the family, is at home with her mother, who occupies the
family residence at No. 212 Pearl street in Eugene.
 
     Mrs. Ankeny is a Christian Scientist. Her attractive home has been the
scene of many enjoyable social events. She is a devoted mother and possesses
those qualities which inspire strong and enduring regard. Mr. Ankeny was an
adherent of the republican party, and his work in behalf of the Masonic order
won for him the thirty-third degree, an honor worthily bestowed. He believed in
the gospel of good, and to know him was to be his friend, for he was a gentleman
in the highest sense of the term.

     
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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in June 2016 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.